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GEOGRAPHICAL,   COMMERCIAL, 

AHD 

PHILOSOPHICAL 

VIEW 

Of    THB 

IMERICAN  UNITED  STATES, 

AH^   6P    THE 

Et/ROPMJN  SETTLEMENTS 

AMERICA  ANO  TiiB  WEST-INDIES. 

W.    WINTERBOTHAM* 


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I 


IN  FOUR  VOLUMES. 

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VOL.  n. 


LON  DON: 

rHIHTBD  FOR  THB  EDITOR  ;  f •  &IDdWAT»  YORK-ST&UT'ji 

8»  9«  tTlf  ONDSy  PATBRN08TBIL  ROW  I 

AHD  9«  BOLT,  ]IBWAR|C. 


CONTENTS, 


1  ■  <i 


VOL.    II. 

GkJtlJO  Divijtom  of  the  United  States 
StuhEngJanJ  States  dejcribed 

Fermont        ------ 

VeW'HampJhire     -         •- 
Mjffacbufetts  --.••*- 

'Difiriff  df  Maine  -  -  -         '^ 

Htde- //land  and  Providence    .:"'    '<  •   .     - 

•  '.•*■■ 

Cmefficut     -        *         -         •        *    ":  - 


MUdle  States  *         -^ 

liew^rori 
.   Heui^Jfr/ey 
J^em/jhania 

Delaware        -         -         - 
Territory^  N.  fF.  of  the  Ohio 


I 
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297 
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461 

479 


PRESENT    SITUATION 


OF   THB 


United  States  of  America- 


GRAND  DIVISIONS  of  the  UNITED  STATES. 

X  H  E  American  Republic,  of  which  we  have  In  the  preceding 
volume  given  a  general  account,  cotjfifts  of  thr^e  grand  divifions, 
denominated  the  Northern,  or  more  properly  Eastern,  Middle, 
and  Southern  States. 

lih^Jirfl  divifion,  tht  Northern  or  Eafcrti  States,  comprehend* 
Vermont,  Massachusetts, 

New-Hampshire,  Rhode  Island, 

District  of  Mainr,  belonging       Connecticut. 
to  Maflachufetts. 
Thefe  are  called  the  New-England  States,  and  comprehend  that 
pirtof  America,  which,  fincc  the -year  1614,  has  been  known  by.  the 
name  of  New-England. 

The/econ^  divifion,  the  Middle  States^  comprehends 
New-York,  Delaware, 

New-Jersey,  .Territory,  N.  W.  of  Ohio. 

Pinnsylvania, 

The  />^/r^  divifion,  the  Southern  States^  con.prehend* 
Maryland,  Territory  S.  of  Ohio, 

ViRGiKiAr  South-Carolina, 

Kentucky,  Georgia. 

North-Carolina« 
Of  each  of  thefc  wc  Aull  now  treat  pai  tlcularly  in  their  order. 

Vol.  XL  B  NEW- 


N, 


GEN^ERAt    DESCRIPTION 

NEW-ENGLAND; 
Or  NORTHJERN  or  EASTERN  STATE$. 

SITUATION,  BOUNDARIES,  &c. 


ew-En^land  lies  between  41  and  46  degrees  N.  Lah  and 
between  i  degree  30  minutes,  and  8  des^rees  E.  Lon.  from  Philadel- 
phia ;  and  is  bounded  north  by  Lower-Canada;  eaft,  by  the  province 
of  Ncw-Brunfwick,  and  the  Atlantic  Ocean;  fouth,  by  the  fame 
Dcean,  and  Long-Ifland  found;  weft,  by  the  State  of  New-York.  It 
lies  in  the  form  of  a  quarter  of  a  circle.  Its  weft  line,  beginning  at 
the  mouth  of  Byram  river,  which  empties  into  Long-Illand  found 
at  the  fouth-weft  corner  of  Connecticut,  lat.  4?  degrees,  runs  a 
little  eaft  of  north,  until  it  ftrikes  the  45th  degree  of  latitude,  and 
then  curves  to  the  eaftward  almoft  to  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence. 
Its  climate  is  very  healthful,  as  is  evinced  by  the  longevity  of  the  in- 
habitants ;  for  it  is  eftimated  that  about  one  in  feven  of  them  live  to 
the  age  of  feventy  years;  and  about  one  in  thirteen  or  fourteen  ta 
eighty  years  and  upwards. 

North-weft,  weft,  and  fouth-well  winds,  are  the  moft  prevalent. 
Eaft  and  north-eaft  winds,  which  arc  unelaftic  and  difagi-eeable,  are 
frequent  at  certain  feafons  of  the  year,  particularly  in  April  and 
May,,  on  the  fea  coaflfs.  The  weather  is  lefs  variable  than  in  the 
Middle  and  cfpecially  the  Southern  States,  and  more  fo  than  in  Ca- 
nada- The  extremes  of  heat  and  cold,  according  to  Fahrenheit's 
thermometer,  are  from  ao**  below,  to  100°  above  o.  The  medium  i* 
from  48^  to  50°.  The  inhabitants  of  New-England,  oh  account  of 
the  drynefs  of  their  atinofphere,  can  endare,  without  inconvenience, 
a  greater  degree  of  heat  than  the  inhabitantg  of  a  nioifter  climate.  It 
is  fuppofcd  by  fome  philotbphers,  that  the  diifercnce  of  moifture 
in  the  atmofphere  rn  Fennf\ Ivaiiia  and  iSIeu-Fngland  is  fuch,  as  that 
a  perfon  might  bear  at  leaft  ten  degrees  of  heat  more  iti  the  latter 
than  in  the  former. 

The  quantity  of  rain  which  falls  in  England  annually,  is  computed 
to  be  twenty-foin*  indies;  in  France  eighteen  inches,  and  in  New- 
England  from  forty-eight  to  fiiiy  inches;  and  yet  in  New-England 
they  iutfcr  more  from  drought  than  in  either  of  the  foremen tioned 
countries,  although  they  have  more  than  double  the  quantity  of  rain. 
Tiicfe  f-ivit  evince  the  remarkable  djyncis  of  the  atmofphere  in  this 

eaftera 


OF    NEW-ENGLAI^D.  3 

•aflcrn  divifion  of  the  United  States,  and  in  part  account  for  its 
fingular  healthfulnefs.  Winter  conxmonly  coiumsnces,  in  its  feve- 
rity,  about  the  miJdh  of  December — fometimes  earlier,  and  feme* 
times  not  till  Chriftmas.  Cattle  are  fed  or  houfed,  in  the  northern 
parts  of  New-England,  from  about  the  20th  of  Nov.  to  the  2orti  of 
May ;  in  the  fouthern  pxarts  not  quite  fo  long.  There  have  been 
frofts  in  almoft  every  month  in  the  year,  though, not  in  the  fame 
year  ;  but  not  very  injurious. 
The  difeafcs  mofl  prevalent  in  New-England  arc  the  following,  vi2# 
Alvine  Fluxes,  Inflammator}',  ^ 

St.  Anthony's  Fire,        Slow,  nervous,  and  I  Fevers, 

Afthma,  Mixed  J 

Atrophy,  Pnlm6nary  Confumption, 

Catarrh,  Quinfy, 

Colic,  Rheumatifm- 

Thefe  difordcrs,  of  which  the  pulmonary  confumption  is  much  the 
naofl  dteftrudlive,  are  commonly  the  effect  of  imprudent  cxpofurcs  to 
cold  arid  rainy  weather,  evening  air,  and  the  wearing  of  daiiip  linen  ; 
or  from  frequent  excefTes  in  the  ufe  of  ftrong  liquors,  efpecially 
of  frelh  diflitled  rum,  which  in  too  many  inftances  prove  the  bane  of 
morals,  add  the  ruin  of  families. 

The  fmall  pox,  which  is  a  fpecific,  infeftious  difeafe,  is  not  allowed 
at  prefent  to  be  communicated  by  inoculation,  except  in  hofpitals 
trc6led  for  that  purpofe  in  bye  places,  and  in  cales  where  there  is  a 
probability  of  a  general  fpread  of  the  infection  in  a  town.  Nor  is 
tbis  difeafe  permitted  to  be  communicated  generally  by  inoculation, 
iuany  of  the  United  States,  except  New-York,  New^Jcrfey,  Pennfyl- 
vania,  Delaware,  and  South-Carolina. 

In  populous  towns,  the  prevalent  difeafes  arc  more  numerous  and 
complicated,  owing  to  want  of  frefh  air  and  exercife,  and  to  luxurious 
and  falhionable  living. 

Dr.  Foulke*  has  obfer\'ed,  that  **  in  other  countries,  men  arc 
divided  according  to  their  wealth  or  indigence,  into  three  claiFe* ; 
the  OPULENT,  the  MIDDLING,  and  the  poor  ;  the  idienefs,  luxuries, 
and  debaucheries  of  the  firft,  and  the  mifery  and  too  frequent  in- 
temperance of  the  laft,  deftroy  the  greater  proportion  of  thefe  two. 
The  intermediate  clafs  is  bejow  thofe  indulgencies  which  prove  fatal 

^  h  ^  diCcourCe  which  be  Ucely  read  before  xhc  Ameriwaa  PhUttfophicil  Socitty. 

B  »  to 


t^. 


4  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

to  the  rich,  and  above  thOfe  fufFcrings  to  which  the  unfortunate  podf 
fall  vi£liins  :  this  is  therefore  the  happieft  divifion  of  the  three. 
Of  the  rich  and  poor,  the  American  Statds  furnifh  a  much  fmaller 
proportion  than  any  other  diflrift  of  the  known  world.  Iii  Connec- 
ticut particularly,  the  diflribution  of  weahh  and  its  concomitants 
is  more  equal  than  elfevvhere,  and,  therefore,  as  far  as  excefs  or  want 
of  wealth  may  prove  deftrudtive  or  falutary  to  life,  the  inhabitants 
of  this  State  may  plead  exemption  from  difeafes.'*  What  this  writer 
fays  of  Connecticut  in  particular,  will,  with  very  few  exceptions, 
^ply  to  New-England  at  large. 

FACE  OF  THE  COUNTRY,  MOUNTAINS,  &c. 

New-England  is  a  high,  hilly,  and  in  feme  parts  a  mountainous 
country,  formed  by  nature  to  be  inhabited  by  a  hardy  race  of  free 
independent  republicans. — The  mountains  are  comparatively  fmall, 
runnintr  nearly  north  and  fouth  in  ridges  parallel  to  each  other. 
Between  thefe  ridges  flow  the  great  rivers  in  majeftic  meanders,  re- 
ceiving the  innumera.ble  rivulets  and  larger  flreams  which  proceed 
ftom  the  mountains  on  each  fide.  To  a  fpec^ator  on  the  top  of  a 
neighbouring  mountain,  the  vales  between  the  ridges,  while  in  a  Hate 
of  nature,  exhibit  a  romantic  appearance.  They  feem  an  ocean  of 
woods,  fwelled  and  dcprefled  in  its  furface  like  that  o:  the  great  ocean 
itfelf.  A  richer  though  lefs  romantic  view  is  prcfeuted,  when  the 
valleys,  by  in^luflrio-js  hufbnndmen,  hive  been  cleared  of  their 
natural  growth;  :.nd  tbt^  fruit  of  their  labour  appears  in  loaded 
orchards,  extenfive  meadows,  covered  with  large  herds  of  Iheep  and 
neat  cattle,  and  ri  h  fields  of  flax,  cprn,  and  the  various  kinds  of 
grain.  Thefe  valleys,  which  have  received  the  exprellive  name  of 
intertvale  latnisy  are  of  various  breadths,  from  two  to  twenty  miles ;  and 
by  the  annual  inundations  of  the  rivers  which  flow  through  them, 
there  is  frequently  an  accumulation  of  rich,  fat  foil,  left  upon  their 
furface  when  the  waters  retire. 

There  are  four  principal  ranges  of  mountains,  paffing  nearly  from 
north-eaft  to  fouth-weft  through  New-Etigland.  Thefe  confift  of  a 
multitude  of  parallel  ridges,  each  having  many  fpurs,  deviating  from 
the  courfe  of  the  general  range ;  which  fpurs  are  again  broken  into 
irregular  hilly  land.  The  main  ridges  terminate,  fometimes  in  high 
blulF  heads,  near  the  fea-coaft,  and  fometimes  by  a  gradual  defcent 
in  the  interior  part  of  the  country.  One  of  the  main  ranges  runs 
between  Connt&kyii  and  Hadfon  rivers.    This  range  branches  and 

%  boundt 


OF    NEW-ENGLAND.  g 

bounds  the  vales  through  which  flows  thc^oufatonick  river.    Th© 
inofl  caftern  ridge  of  this  range  terminates.in  a  bluff  head  at  Meriden; 
a  fecond   ends   in   like   manner   at  Willingford,    and  a  third  at 
New-Haven.     Tn  Lyme,   on  the  eaft  fide  of  Connecticut  river, 
another  range  of  mountains  commences,  forming  the  eaftern  boun- 
dary of  Connecticut  vale.     This  range  tends  northerly,  at  the  dif- 
tance,  generally,  of  about  ten  or  twelve  miles  eaft  from  the  river, 
and  paflcs  through  MafTachufetts,  where  the  range  takes  th^  name  of 
Chickahee  Mountain -y  thence  croffing  into  New-Hampftiire,  at  the 
djftance  of  about  twenty  miles  from  the  MafTachufetts  line,  it  runs  up 
into  a  very  high  peak,  called  Monadnicky  which  terminates  this  ridge 
of  the  range.     A  weftern  ridge  continues,  and  in  about  latitude  43* 
ao'  runs  up  into  Sunipee  mountains.     About  ^hy  miles  further,  ia 
the  fame  ridge,  is  Moofcoog  nlountain.     A  third  range  begins  near 
Stonington  in  Connecticut.     It  takes  its  courfe  north-eafterly,  and 
is  fometim^s  broken  and  discontinued ;  it  then  rifes  again,  and  ranges 
in  the  fame  direction  into  New-Iiamplhire,  where,  in  latitude  43°  25', 
it  runs  up  into  a  high  peak  called  Confjfa'iuajkog.    The  fourth  range 
h^s  a  humble  beginning  about  Hopkinton  in  MafTachufetts.     The 
eaftern  ridge  of  this  range  runs  north  by  Watertown  and  Concord, 
and  crofTes  Merrimack  river  at  Pantucket-Falls.    in  New-Hacnp(hire, 
it  rifes  into  feyeral  high  peaks,  of  which  the  White  mountains  arc  the 
principal.     From  thefe  White  mountains  a  range  continues  north- 
caft,  crofling  the  eaft  boundary   of  New-Hampfliire,    in  latitude 
44.°  30',  and  forms  the  height  of  land  between  Kennebeckand  Chau-^ 
diere  rivers.     Thefe  ranges  of  mountains  are  full  of  lakes,  ponds, 
and  fprings  of  water,  that  give  rife  to  numberlcfs  itreams  of  various 
fcs,  which,  interlocking  each  other  in  every  direction,  and  falling 
over  the  rocks  in  romantic  cafcades,  flow  meandering  into  the 
rivers  t>elow.    No  country  on  the  globe  is  better  watered  than  New- 
Eogland. 

On  the  fea-coaft  the  land  is  low,  and  in  many  parts  level  and  fandy; 
In  the  valleys,  between  the  forementioned  ranges  of  mountains,  the 
land  is  generally  broken,  and  in  many  places  rocky,  but  of  a  ftrong 
rich  foil,  c^>able  of  being  cultivated  to  good  advantage,  which  alfo  is 
the  cafe  with  many  fpots  even  on  the  tops  of  the  mountains. 

SOIL,  PRODUCTIONS,  &c. 

The  foil,  as  may  be  collected  from  what  has  been  faid,  muft  be  very 
▼anouit    Each  tr&&  of  different  foil  is  diftinguiilied  by  its  peculiar- 
vegetation^ 


I  -  -  ." . . 


6  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

vegetation,  and  is  pronounced  good,  middling,  or  bad,  from  the 
Ipecies  of  trees  which  it  produces ;  and  from  one  fpecies  generally 
predominating  in  each  foil,  has  originated  the  defcriptivc  names  of 
oak  land,  birch,  beech,  and  chefnut  lands,  pine,  barren,  maple,  afh, 
and  cedar  fwamps,  as  each  fpecies  happens  to  predominate.  Inter- 
mingled with  thofe  predominating  fpecies  are  walnut,  firs,  elm,  hem- 
lock, magnolia,  moofe  wood,  faflafras,  &c.  &c.  The  beft  lands  pro- 
duce walnut  and  chefnut ;  the  next,  beech  and  oak ;  lands  of  the 
third  quality  produce  fir  and  pitch  pine;  the  next,  whortleberry 
and  barberry  bufhes,-  and  the  poorefV  produce  nothing  but  marfliy 
imperi'cft  flirubs.  Among  the  flowering  trees  and  flirubs  in  the 
forefts  are  the  red-fiowering  maple,  the  fafllifras,  the  locuft-tree,  the 
tulip-tree,  honeyfuckle,  wild  rofe,  dogwood,  elm,  leather-tree,  laurel, 
hawthorn,  &c.  which  in  the  fpring  of  the  year  give  the  woods  a 
moft  beautiful  appearance,  and  fill  them  with  a  delicious  fragrance. 
Among  the  fruits  which  grow  wild,  are  the  fevcral  kinds  of  grapes  ; 
which  are  fmall,  four,  and  thick  Ikinned.  The  vines  on  which  they 
grow  are  very  luxuriant,  often  overfpreading  the  higheft  trees  in  the 
forefls ;  and,  without  doubt,  might  be  greatly  meliorated  by  proper 
cultivation.  Befides  thefe,  are  the  wild  cherries,  white  and  red 
luulberries,  cranberries,  walnuts,  hazelnuts,  chefnuts,  butter-nuts, 
beech-nuts,  wild  plumbs  and  pears,  whortle-berries,  bilberries,  goofe- 
berries,  flrawberries,  &c. 

The  foil  in  the  interior  country  is  calculated  for  the  culture  of 
Indian  com,  rye,  oats,  barley,  flax,  and  hemp  (for  which  the  foil  and 
climate  arc  peculiarly  proper)  buck-wheat,  beans,  peas,  &c.  Iii 
many  of  the  inland  parts  wheat  is  raifed  in  large  quantities ;  but  on 
the  fea-coaft  it  has  never  been  cultivated  with  fuccefs,  being  fubjedl 
to  blafts.  The  fruits  which  the  country  yields  from  culture,  are, 
apples  in  the  greateft  plenty ;  of  thefe  cyder  is  made,  which  con- 
flitutes  the  principal  drink  of  the  inhabitants ;  alfo  pears  of  various 
forts,  quinces,  peaches,  plums,  cherries,  apricots,  &c. 

Dr.  Cutler  has  furnifhed  the  following  catalogue  of  flowering 
ihfubs  and  plants  in  New- En  gland,  which,  from  the  attention  he 
has  paid  to  ntitural  hiftory,  we  have  reafon  to  rely  upon  as  accurate. 

Blue  flag.  Iris  nflrgifiicay — Globe  Flower,  Cephalanthus  occidentalism 
-—Pigeonberry,  ClJJus  Jicyoldes^ — Cornel,  Qornus  Canadcajis^ — Ame- 
rican Honeyfuckle,  Azalea  rvlfcofa^ — American  Tea,  Ceanothus  Ame* 
ric^tnus^ — Cherry  Honeyfuckle,  Lonlcera  dlcr'vllla, — Great  ConvoU 
V^lus,  Cgnn^chului  /3fr«z;^r0j,— Stag's  horn  Sumach,  Rhus  typhlnum^-^ 

Me:^ltreC| 


OF    NEW-EiNGLAND#  7 

Mealtree,  Fihurnumlantana, — ^White  llowcped  Elder,  Samhucus  nzgrg^ 
—Red  berried   Elder,   Samhucus    Canadenfis^ — Meadow    Blue-bells, 
Gentiana  ciliata^ — Lilies,  feveral  fpecies,  Lilium^ — Bcthlem  Star,  Or^ 
nitbogulum  lutcuMy — American    Senna,    Rhodora  Canadenfis^ — Great 
Laurel,    Kalmia    latifoUa^ — Dwarf   Laurel,    Kalmia  angujlifolia^-^ 
White  Pepper  Bufli,  Andromeda  arhorea^ — Bog  Evergreen,  Andromeda, 
ealyculata^ — Sweet  Pepper  Bufh,  Clethra  alnifolia^ — Mountain  Laurel, 
•r  Sorbus-tree,  Sorhus  aucupora^ — Meadow  Sweet,  Splraa  falkifolia^ 
— Queeii  of  the  Meadows,  Sfiraa  tormtntofa^ — Service  Tree,  Mcp- 
filus  Canadcnfisy — ^Wild  Rofe,   Rofa   Carolina^ — Superb  Rafpbcrry, 
Ruhus odoratusy — Baneberry,  ABea fpicata^ — Side-faddle  Flouer,  Sar* 
racena  purpurea^ — Red  Columbine,  AquiUgia  Canadenfis^ — Anemone, 
feveral  fpecies,  Anemone  hepatka^  fylvefiris  et  ncmorofa^ — Traveller's 
Joy,  Clematis  Flrginica^ — Dragon's  Head,  Dracocephalum  Firglnkum^ 
— Snap    Dragon,    Antirrhinum  Canadevjis^ — American   Cardaminc, 
Cardamine  V^irginica^ — ^Lupin,  Lupinus  angvJiifoUa^ — Lx>cu{t,  Rohiata 
ffeud-acacia^ — Beach  Pea,  Pifum  maritimum^ — Pitd  Pea,  Pifum  ochruSy 
— Wood  Pea,  Orohus  Jylvaticus, — Variegated  Pea,  Lathyrus  hefero^ 
pJjyllus^ — Meadow  Sunflower,  Ageratum  ciUarc^ — American  Amarnn- 
thus,  Gnaphalium  helian    themifolium^ — New-England    After,   AJler 
Nova  Anglicumy — Smooth-leaved  Golden-rod,    SoUdago  altijji?nay-^ 
New-England  Sunflower,  Helianthus  di'vurkatm^ — American  Pride, 
Lobelia  cardinalis^ — Ladies   Plume,  Orchis  fycodcs^ — Ladies  Slipper, 
Cypripedium  calceolus — Blue  Eye,  Sifyrinchium  Bcrmudiaunay^—Swzn^p 
Willow,   or  Dog-wood,  Salix  cincrea^ — Red-fiowercd  Mapjc,  Ace* 
ruArum. 

New  England  is  a  fine  grazing  country ;  the  valleys  between  the 
W.s  are  generally  interfe^ted  with  brooks  of  water,  the  banks  of 
vhich  are  lined  with  a  tra61:  of  rich  meadow  or  intervale  land.  The 
high  and  rocky  ground  is,  in  many  parts,  covered  with  clover,  and 
generally  affords  the  finefl-  of  paflure.  It  will  not  be  a  matter  of 
wonder,  therefore,  that  New-England  boafts  of  raifing  fomc  of  the 
finell  cattle  in  the  world;  nor  will  flie  be  envied,  when  the  labour  of 
raifing  them  is  taken  into  view.  Two  months  of  the  hotreft  feafon 
in  the  year,  the  farmers  are  employed  in  procniing  food  for  their 
cattle,  and  the  cold  winter  is  fpent  in  dealing  it  out  to  them.  The 
pleafurc  and  profit  of  doing  this  is,  however,  a  fatisfying  compcnfa- 
tion  to  the  honeft  and  induftrious  farmer..  Biitter  and  chcefe  are 
made  for  exportation  ;  and  confidcrable  attention  has  lately  been  p.ud 

to  the  railing  of  iheep. 

RIVERS. 


8     ,  GEi^ERAL    DESCRIPTION 

RIVERS. 

The  principal  rivers  in  New-England  are  Penobfcot,  Kennebeck^ 
Androfcoggin,  or  Amerifcoggin,  Saco,  Merrimack,  Pifcataqua, 
and  Connecticut,  bcfideg  many  fmaller  ones,  which  we  fliall  notice 
when  treating  of  the  different  States. 

PENOBSCOT. 

This  river  has  its  fonrce  in  the  diftricSt  of  Maine,  a  fhort  diftance 
weft  of  Union  river  on  the  high  lands ;  it  rifes  in  two  branches,  run- 
ning for  a  confiderable  diflance,  and  then  uniting  in  one  noble  and 
inajeftic  ftream.  Between  the  fource  of  the  weft  fork,  and  its  junc- 
tion with  the  eaft,  is  Moofehead  lake,  thirty  or  forty  miles  long^ 
and  fifteen  wide.  The  eaftern  branch  paiTes  through  feveral  fmaller 
lakes.  From  7he  Forksy  as  they  are  called,  the  Penobfcot  Indians 
pafs  to  Canada,  up  either  brancli,  principally  the  weft,  the  fource  of 
which  they  fay  is  not  more  than  twenty  miles  from  the  waters  that 
empty  into  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  At  the  Forks  is  a  remarkable  v 
high  mountain.  From  the  Forks  down  to  Indian  Old  Town,  fitua- 
ted  on  an  ifland  in  this  river,  is  about  fixty  miles,,  forty  of  which  the 
water  flows  in  a  ftill,  fmooth  ftream,  and  in  the  whole  diftance  there 
are  no  falls  to  interrupt  the  paffing  of  boats.  In  this  diftanoc,  (be 
river  widens,  and  embraces  a  large  number  of  fraall  iflands  ;  and 
about  half  way  receives  two  confiderable  tributary  ftreams,  one  from 
the  eaft  and  the  other  from  the  weft,  whofe  mouths  are  nearly  oppo- 
fite  to  each  other.  About  fixty  rods  below  Indian  Old  Town  arc  the 
Great  Falls,  where  is  a  carrying-place  of  about  twenty  rods ;  thence^ 
twelve  miles  to  the  head  of  the  tide,  there  are  no  falls  to  obftruft 
boats.  Veflels  of  thirty  tons  come  within  a  mile  of  the  head  of  the 
tide.  Thence,  thirty-five  miles  to  the  head  of  the  bay,  to  the  fite  of 
Old  Fort  Pownal,  the  river  is  remarkably  ftraight,  and  eafily  navi- 
gated. Faffing  by  Majabagadufe  on  the  eaft,  feven  miles,  and  Owl*s 
Head,  twenty  miles  farther,  on  the  weft,  it  enters  the  ocean  by 
Penobfcot  Bay. 

KENNEEPCIC. 

This  is  one  of  the  fineft  rivers  in  this  country,  and  has  its  origin, 
like  the  former,  in  the  diftri6t  of  Maine  ;  its  fources  are  two  ftreams, 
one  of  which  rifes  in  the  highlands,  a  fliort  diftance  from  a  branch 
of  the  Chaudiere,  which  empties  into  the  St.  Lawrence ;  another 
branch  rifes  in  Moofe  Head  lake.  In  its  courfib,  it  receives  Sandy ' 

river 


OF    NEW-ENGLAND.  9 

t-nrcr  from  the  weft,  and  Sebafticook  and  fcveral  others  from  the  caft, 
and  pafles  to  the  fea  by  Cape  Small  Point.  It  is  navigable  for  vefTeU 
cf  one  hundred  and  fifty  tons  upwards  of  forty  miles  froip  the  fea* 

AKDROSCOOGIK* 

This  river,  fometimes  called  Amerifcoggin,  properly  fpeaking,  is 

but  the  main  weftern  branch  of  the  Kennebeck ;  it  rifes  near  the 

end  of  the  dividing  line  between  New-Hampfhire  and  -the  Old  Pro« 

Tince  of  Maine.     The  lake  Umbagog,  and  feveral  fmaller  l^kes, 

flow  into  it.    From  this  lake  its  courfe  is  foutheriy,  till  it  approaches 

near  the  White  Mountains,  from  which  it  receives  Moofe  and  Pipa-p 

body  rivers,  and  then  turns  to  the  eaft,  and  fouth-eaft  through  the 

province  of  Maine,  in  which  courfe  it  pafles  within  two  miles  of  the 

ica  coaft,  and  turning  north  runs  over  Pejcplkaeg  Falls,  into  Merry 

Meeting  Bay,  where  it  forms  a  junction  with  the  Kennebeck,  twentjr 

mites  from  the  fea,  and  one  hundred  and  forty-fix  from  the  fourcc^ 

Formerly,  from  this  bay  to  the  fea,   the  confiuent  ilream  was  for* 

merly  called  Saggadahock. 

SAGO* 

This  river  is  one  of  the  largeft  rivers  in  the  diftrift  of  New» 

Hamplhire.   The  principal  part  of  its  water  falls  in  different  flreams 

fi'om  the  White  Mountains,  which  unite  at  twelve  or  fifteen  miles 

diflance.    Its  courfe,  fome  diftance  from  its  fource,  is  foutherly  ;  it 

'^en   fuddenly  bends  to  the  eaft,  and  croffes  into  the  diftrift  of 

Maine,  then  makes  a  large  bend  to  the  northreaft,  eaft,  and  fouth« 

weft,  embracing  the  fine  townfhip  of  Fryeburg,  in  the  coi^nty  of 

York.    Its  general  courfe  thence  to  the  fea  is  about  forty-five  miles 

^.E.     Great  and  Little  OlFapee  rivers  fall  into  it  from  the  wcftj 

making  a  great  addition  to  the  original  ftream.     This  river  is  nav^f 

^ble  for  ^ips  to  SacQ  Falls,  about  fix  miles  from  the  fea. 

MERRIMACK, 

Merrimax^k  river  is  formed  by  the  confluence  of  Pemigewaflbt 
and  Winnipifeogee  rivers  ;  the  former  is  a  very  rapid  river,  and 
fprings  from  a  white  mountain,  weft  of  the  noted  mountains  of  that 
name;  and  before  its  jun£tion  with  the  Winnipifeogee  branch,  it 
receives  from  the  weft,  Baker^  river,  a  pleafant  ftream,  forty  miles 
in  length,  and  feveral  fmaller  ftreams.  The  Winnipifeogee  bran(:h 
rifes  from  the  lake  of  the  fame  name.  The  ftream  which  iflTues  from' 
the  lake  is  fmall,  and  in  its  courfe  pafTes  through  a  bay  twelve  miles' 

Vojun.  C  long 


<^ 


L. 


.10  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

long,  and  from  three  to  five  broad.  A  few  miles  from  its  entrance 
into  the  PemigewafTet  is  a  place  called  the  Wcvcs,  remarkable  for 
the  number  of  falmon  and  (had  which  arc  there  caught.  The  river  ». 
tvide,  and  fo  fliallow  that  the  fiOiermen  turn  the  courfe  of  the  river 
in  a  (horttime,  or  comprefs  it  into  a  narrow  channel,  where  they  fix 
their  gill  nets,  and  take  the  fiQi  as  they  pafs  up  the  ftreara.  After 
the  PemigewafTet  receives  the  waters  of  Winnipifeogee,  it  takes  the 
name  of  Merrimack  ;  and  after  a  courfe  of  about  ninety  miles,  firft 
in  a  foutherly,  and  then  in  an  eafterly  diredion,  and  paffing  over 
Hookfet,  Amufkeag,  and  Pantucket  Falls,  empties  into  the  fea  at 
Newburyport.  From  the  weft  it  receives,  Blackwatcr,  Contoocook, 
Pifcataquoag,  Souhegan,  Nafhu,  and  Concord  rivers  ;  from  the  eaft, 
Bowcook,  Suncook,  Cohas,  Beaver,  Spicket,  and  Powow  rivers. 
Contoocook  heads  near  Monadnock  moimtain,  is  very  rapid,  and  tea 
or  twelve  miles  from  its  mouth  is  one  hundred  yards  wide.  Juft  be* 
fore  its  entrance  into  the  Merrimack  it  branches  and  forms  a  beau<*^ 
tiful  ifland  of  five  or  fix  acres. 

PISCATAQJIA. 

This  is  the  only  large  river  whofe  whole  courfe  is  in  Ncw-Hamp* 
Ihire.  Its  head  is  a  pond  in  the  N.  E.  corner  of  the  town  of  Wake^* 
field,  and  its  general  courfe  thence,  to  the  fea,  is  S.  S.  E.  about  forty 
miles.  It  divides  New-Hampihire  from  York-Caunty,  in  the  dif-% 
trift  of  Maine,  and  is  called  Salmon-fall  river,  from  its  head  to  the 
lower  falls  at  Berwick,  where  it  aflumes  the  name  of  Newichawan^ 
nock,  which  it  bears  till  it  meets  with  Cocheco  river,  which  comea 
from  Dover,  when  both  run  together  in  one  channel  ta  Hilton's 
Pomt,  where  the  wcftem  branch  meets  it.  From  this  junftion  to. 
the  fea,  the  river  is  fo  rapid  that  it  never  freezes  ;  the  diftance  ia 
feven  miles,  and  the  courfe  generally  from  S.  to  S.  E.  The  weftern 
branch  is  formed  by  Swamfcot  river,  which  comes  from  Exeter.  •  Win- 
xiicot  river,  which  comes  through  Greenland,  and  Lamprey  river, 
which  divides  Newmarket  from  Durham  ;  thefe  empty  into  a  bay, 
four  miles  wide,  called  Great  Bay.  The  water  in  its  further  pro- 
grefs  is  contracted  into  a  lefler  bay,  and  then  it  receives  Oyfter  river, 
which  runs  through  Durham  and  Back  river,  which  comes  from 
Davetf  and  at  length  meets  with  the  main  fiream  at  Hilton's  Point* 
The  tide  rifes  into  all  thefe  bays,  and  branches  as  fisu'  as  the  lower 
falls  in  each  river,  and  forms  a  moil  rapid  current,  efpecially  at  the 
fc^aa  of  the  fre/hets,  when  the  «bb  continues  about  two  hours 

longer 


OF    NEW-ENGLAND^        ^  tt 

iongef  than  the  flood  ;  and  were  it  not  for  the  numerous  eddies, 
formed  by  the  indeotings  of  the  (hore,  the  ferries  would  then  be  ^ 
impafTable. 

At  the  lower  fells  in  the  feveral  branches  of  the  river,  are  land- 
ing  places,  whence  lumber  and  other  country  produce  is  tranfported. 
and  veffels  or  boats  from  below  difcharge  their  lading  ;  fo  that  ia 
each  river  there  is  a  convenient  trading-place,  not  more  than  twelve 
or  fifteen  miles  diftant  from  Portfmouth,  with  which  there  is  con- 
fat  communication  by  every  tide.  Thus  the  river,  from  its  form 
and  the  fituation  of  its  branches,  is  extremly  favourable  to  the  pur« 
fofes  of  navigation  and  commerce, 

CONNECTICUT. 

This  river  gives  name  to  one  of  the  five  colonies  of  this  provincCp 
Itrifes  in  a  fwamp  on  the  height  of  land,  in  lat.  45.  lo,  W.  long.  71, 
30.   After  a  fleepy  courfe  of  eight  or  ten  miles,  it  tumbles  over  four 
%rate  falls,  and  turning  weft  keeps  clofe  under  the  hills  which  form 
^Jie  northern  boundary  of  the  vale  through  which  it  runs.  The  Amo- 
noofuk  afid  Ifrael  rivers,  two  principal  branches  of  Connedicut  river, 
fall  into  it  from  the  eaft,  between  the  latitudes  44°  and  45®.     Be- 
^tween  the  towns  of  Walpole  on  the  eaft,  and  Weftminfter  on  the 
weft  fide  of  the  river,  are. the  great  Falls.    A  large  rock  divides  the 
^ream  into  two  channels,  each  about  ninety  feet  wide  oix  the  top  of 
the  flielving  bank.     When  the  water  is  low,  the  eaftern  channel  ap- 
pears crofted  by  a  bar  of  folid  rock,  and  the  whole  ftream  falls  into 
^  weftern  channel,  where  comprefled  between  two  rocks  fcarccly 
thirty  feet  afunder,  it  ftioots  with  amazing  rapidity  into  a  broad  bafoa 
Wov.  Above  Deerfield  in  Maflachufetts  it  receives  Deerfield  river  from 
^^eweft,  and  Miller's  river  from  the  eaft,  after  which  it  turns  wefterlyia 
afiauous  courfe  to  Fighting  Falls,  and  a  little  after  tumbles  over  Deer- 
field Falls,  which  are  impaflable  by  boats.     At  Windfor  in  Connec- 
t'ciat  it  receives  farmington  river  from  the  weft ;  and  at  Hartford 
meets  the  tide,    trom  Hartford  it  pafles  on  in  a  crooked  courfe, 
^ntil   it    falls    into    Long-Ifland    found,    between  Saybrook    and 
Lyme. 

The  lewgth  of  this  river,  in  a  ftraight  line,  is  nearly  three  hundred 
miles.  Its  general  courfe  is  feveral  degrees  weft  of  fouth.  It  is 
from  80  to  100  roods  wide,  130  miles  from  its  mouth.  At  itJ» 
mouth  is  a  bar  of  fand  which  confiderably  obftru6ts  the  navigation. 
Ten  feet  water  at  full  tides  is  found  on  this  bar,  and  the  fame  depth 

■     .  C  a  t^ 


IZ  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION^ 

to  Middletori,  The  diftancc  of  the  bar  from  this  place,  as  the  rfl'ef 
runs,  is  thirty-fix  miles.  Above  Middleton  arc  feveral  flioals  which 
itretch  quite  acrofs  the  river.  Only  fix  feet  water  is  found  on  the 
(hoal  at  high  tide,  and  here  the  tide  ebbs  and  flows  but  about  eight 
inches.  About  three  miles  below  Middleton  the  river  is  contra£ted 
to  about  forty  roods  in  breadth  by  two  high  mountains.  Almoft 
every  where  clfe  the  banks  are  low,  and  fpread  into  fine  extenfive 
meadows.  In  the  fpring  fioods,  which  generally  happen  in  May,  thefe 
meadows  arc  covered  with  water.  At  Hartford  the  water  fometimes 
rifes  twenty  feet  above  tlie  common  Surface  of  the  river,  and  having 
all  to  pafs  through. the  atove-mentioned  ftrait,  it  is  fometimes  two 
or  three  weeks  before  it  returns  to  its  uiual  bed.  Thefe  flood§  add 
nothing  to  the  depth  of  water  on  the  bar  at  the  mouth  of  the  river : 
this  bar  lying  too  far  off  in  the  found  to  be  affected  by  them. 

On  this  beautiful  river,  whofe  banks  are  fettled  almojtt  to  its 
fource,  are  many  pleafant,  neat,  welNbuilt  towns,  which  we  fhall 
jiotice  when  treating  of  the  particulai'  States  on  which  they  ftand. 

This  river  is  navigable  to  Hartford,  upwards  of  fifty  miles  from  its 
mouth,  and  the  produce  of  the  country  for  two  hundred  miles  above  is 
brought  thither  in  boats.  The  boats  which  are  ufcd  in  this  bufinefs  are 
flat -bottomed,  long,  and  narrow,  for  the  convenience  of  going  up 
ftream,  and  of  fo  light  a  make  as  to  be  portable  in  carts.  They  are 
taken  out  of  the  river  at  three  different  carrying  places,  all  of  which 
make  fifteen  miles. 

Sturgeon,  falmon,  and  fliad,  are  caught  in  plenty  in  their  feafon^ 
from  the  mouth  of  the  river  upwards,  except  fturgeon,  which  do 
not  afcend  the  upper  falls  j  befides  a  variety  of  fmall  fifli,  luch  as 
pike,  carp,  pearch,  &:c. 

From  this  river  are  employed  feveral  brigs  of  pne  hundred  and 
eighty  tons  each,  in  the  European  trade  ;  and  about  fixty  or  feventy 
fail  of  from  fixty  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  tons,  in  the  Wefi-India 
trade ;  befides  a  few  fifliing  vefiels,  and  forty  or  fifty  coafling  veffels. 

In  addition  to  thefe,  there  are  in  this  province  many  other  rivers, 
which,  though  inferior  in  point  of  magnitude,  yet  arc  worthy  of 
notice,  as  they  afford,  in  many  infiances,  either  excellent  inland  na- 
vigation, or  prcfent  the  means  of  improving  of  it.  As  they  add  tcr 
the  beauty  of  the  country,  and  value  of  the  foil;  and  as  they  furnifli 
fituations  peculiarly  defirable  for  the  creeling  of  mills,  or  the  iiitro- 
duftion  of  manufadtures,  thefe  we  fhall  notice  when  treating  of  the 

different 


OF    NEW-EI4GLA1*D<  Ij 

different  States  in  which  they  principally  purfue  their  courfc,  or  take 

their  rife. 

POPULATION,  CHARACTER^  AND  DIVERSIONS. 

New-England  is  the  moft  populous  part  of  the  United  States.  It 
contained^  according  to  the  cenfus  of  1790,  one  million  nine  thou« 
fflnd  £ye  hundred  and  twenty-two  fouls ;  its  prefent  number  of  inhabi* 
tants  amounts  at  leail  to  one  million  three  hundred  thoufand.  The 
great  body  of  thefe  are  landholders  and  cultivators  of  the  foil,  and  as 
they  pofTefs,  in  fee  fimple,  the  farms  which  they  cultivate,  they  are  na«» 
turaliy  all  attached  to  their  country  }  the  cultivation  of  the  Ibil  makes 
them  robuft  and  healthy,  and  enables  them  to  detend  it. 

Neiv -England  may  with  propriety  be  called  a  nurfety  of  men^ 
whence  are  annually  tranfplanted,  into  other  parts  of  the  United 
States,  thoufands  of  its  natives.  Vaft  numbers  of  them,  fince  the 
war,  have  emigrated  into  the  northern  parts  of  New- York,  into 
Kentucky,  and  the  Weftern  Territory,  and  into  Georgia ;  and 
fome  are  fcattered  into  every  Slate,  and  every  town  of  note  in  the' 
Union. 

The  inhabitants  of  New-England  are  almoft  univerfally  of  Englifli 
defccnt  j  and  it .  is  owing  to  this  circumftance,  arid  to  the  great  and 
general  attention  that  has  been  paid  to  education,  that  the  Englifli 
language  has  been  preferved  among  them  fo  free  of  corruption. 

The  New-Englanders  are  generally  tall,   flout,  and  well  built ; 
they  glory,  and  perhaps  with  juflice,  in  pofleirmg  that  fpirit  of  free- 
dom which  induced  their  anceflors  to  leave  their  native  country,  to 
brave  the  dangers  of  the  ocean,  and  the  hardfhips  of  fettling  in  a 
"viildcrnefs.     Their  education,    laws,  and  (ituation,  ferve  to  infpire 
them    with  high  notions  of  liberty.     Their  jealoufy  is  awakened  at 
tbc  firft  motiron  towards  an  invafion  of  their  rights.   They  are,  in- 
deed, often  jealous  to  excefs ;    a  circumftance  which  is  a  fruitful 
fource  of  imaginary  grievances,    and  of  groundlefs   fufpicrons  and 
complaints  again  ft  government.     But  thefe  ebullitions  of  jealoufy, 
though  cenfurable,  and  productive  of  fome  political  evils,  fliew  that 
the  cir^iDce  of  true  liberty  exifts  in  New^-England  ;  for  jealoufy  is  a 
guardian  of  liberty,  and  a  charaderiftic  of  free  republicans.     A  chief 
foundation  of  liberty  and  equality  in  the  New-England  States  is  a  law 
bv  wliich  inteftate  eftates  dcfcend  to  all  the  children,  or  other  heirs,  in 
equal  proportion,  except  to  the  eldeft  fon,  who  has  two  lliares.     In 
1789,  Muflachufetts  aboliflicd  this  exception.  In  confequence  of  thelc 
Uv:s,  the  people  of  Ncw-England  enjoy  an  equality  of  condition  un- 
known 


$4  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

tnown  itt  any  other  part  of  the  world  :  and  it  is  in  this  way  that  the 
|>eopIe  have  ^rcfer\ed  that  happy  mediocrity  among  themfelves^ 
V»hi6h,  by  inducing  economy  and  induftry,  removes  from  tbem 
temptations  to  hixury,  and  forms  them  to  habits  of  fobriety  and 
temperance*  At  the  fame  time,  their  indiiftry  and  frugality  exempt 
them  from  want,  and  from  the  neceffity  of  fubmitting  -to  any  cn-^ 
croachments  on  their  liberties. 

In  New-England,  learning  is  more  generally  diffufed  among  all 
ranks  of  people  than  in  any  other  part  of  the  globs  ;  arifing  from  the 
excellent  eftablifliment  of  fchools  in  almoft  every  townflii{>. — ^In 
ihefe  fchools, .  which  are  generally  fupported  by  a  public  tax,  and 
tinder  the  dire£tion  of  a  fchool  committee,  are  taught  the  elements 
of  reading,  writing,  arithmetic,  and  in  the  more  wealthy  towns» 
they  have .  introduced  the  higher  branches  of  grammar,  geo- 
graphy, &c. 

A  very  valuable  fource  of  information  to  the  people  is  the  newft 
j>apfers,^of  which  not  lefs  than  thirty  thoufand  are  printed  every 
Week  in  S^-England^  and  circulated  in  almoft  every  town  and  village 
in  the  country.* 

A  perfon  of  mature  age,   who  cannot  both  read  and  write,  is 
rarely  to  be  found.     By  means   of  this  general   eftablifhmeiit  of 
fchoolsj  the  extenfive  circulation  of  newfpapers,  and  the  confequent 
fprcad  of  learning,  every  townfliip  throughout  the  country  is  fur- 
niflied  with  mfen  capable  of  conducting  the  affairs  of  their  town  with 
judgment  and  difcretion.    Thefe  men  are  the  channels  of  political 
information  to  the  lower  clafs  of  people  5  if  fuch  a  clafs  may  be  faid 
to  exift  in  New-England,  where  eveiy  man  thinks  himfelf  at  leaft  sis 
good  as  his  neighbour,  and  believes  that  all  mankind  are,  or  ought 
to  be,    equal.     The  people^  from  their  childhood,  form  habits  of 
canvafling  public  affairs,    and  commence  politicians.    This  natu- 
rally leads  thein  to  be  very  inquifitive.     It  is  with  knowledge  as  with 
riches,  the  more  a  man  has,  the  more  he  wiflies  to  obtain  »  his  de* 
fire  has  no  bounds.   This  defire  after  knowledge,  in  a  greater  or  lefs 
degree,  prevails  throughout  all  claffes  of  people  in  New-England  | 
and  from  their  various  modes  of  expreffing  it,  fome  of  which  are 
blunt  and  familiar,  bordering  on  impertinence,  ftrangers  have  beea 

*  According  to  an  accurate  cfli mate  lately  made,  it  appears  that  no  lefs  than  feventy- 
feven  thoufand  newfpapers  are  printed  weekly  in  the  American  States,  which,  in  a 
j%ar,  would  amount  to  upwaids  of  four  millijns,  and  at  four  cents  each  would  make 
•DC  hundred  and  fixty  thoufand  dollars. 

induced 


OF    NEW-ENGLAND.  I^ 

Jnduccd  to  mention  impertinent  inquijitivcnefs  as  a  diflinguiftiing  cha- 
n6^eriftic  of  the  New-England  people.  But  this  is  true  only  wiil^ 
regard  to  that  clafs  of  people,  who,  confined  to  domcftic  life,  have  not 
had  an  opportunity  of  mingling  with  the  world ;  and  fuch  people 
are  not  peculiar  to  New-England  ;  they  compofe  a  great  part  of  the 
community  of  every  Hate  and  country. 

Before  the  late  war,  which  introduced  into  New-England  a  flood 
of  Cdrniptions,  with  many  improvements,  the  Sabbath  was  ob- 
ferved  with  great  ftri^tnefs  ;  no  unneceflary  travelling,  no  fccular 
bufinefs,  no  vifiting,  no  diverfions  were  permitted  on  that  day. 
They  confidered  it  as  confecrated  to  divine  worfhip,  and  were  ge* 
nerally  punctual  and  ferious  in  their  attendance  upon  it.  Their 
)aws  were  ftrift  in  guarding  the  Sabbath  againft  every  innovation. 
The  fuppofed  feverity  with  which  thefe  laws  were  compofed  and 
executed,  together  with  fome  other  traits  in  their  religious  charac- 
ter, have  acquired  for  the  New-Englanders,  the  name  of  a  fuperfti- 
tions,  bigoted  people. .  But  fuperftition  and  bigotry  are  fo  in- 
definite in  their  fignificatiuns,  and  fo  varioufly  applied  by  perfons  of 
different  principles  and  educations,  that  it  is  not  eafy  to  determine 
whether  they  ever  deferVed  that  chara£ler.  Leaving  every  perfon  to 
enjoy  his  own  opinion  in  regard  to  this  matter,  we  only  obferve,  that, 
fincc  the  war,  a  catholic  tolerant  spirit,  occaiioned  by  a 
more  enlarged  intercourse  with  mankind,  has  greatly  in- 
creafed,  and  is  becoming  univerfal ;  and  if  they  do  not  break  the 
proper  bound,  and  liberalize  away  all  true  religion,  they  will  coun* 
tcrad  that  ftong  propenfity  in  human  nature,  which  leads  men  to 
^rat^from  one  extreme  to  its  oppofite,  and  gain  the  approbation  of 
fvay  well-wifher  of  the  rights  of  mankind. 

There  is  one  diftingxiifliing  chara£terillic  in  the  religious  character 

<>^thi8  people,  which  we  muft  not  omit  mentioning  ;  and  that  is,  the 

cuftom  of  anaually  celebrating  Falls  and  Thankfgivings.     In  the 

(prmg,  th^  governors  of  the  feveral  New-England  States,    except 

Khode-lfland,  ilTup  their  proclamations,  appointing  a  day  to  be  re- 

ligioufly  obfe/ved  in   falling,  humiliation,  and  prayer  throughout 

^ir  refpe^tive  States,  in  which  the  predominating  vices,  that  par- 

ticularly  call  for  humiliation,    are  enumerated.   In  autumn,    after 

liarveft,  that  gladfome  era  in  the  hufbandman's  life,  the  governors 

again  iflue  their  proclamations,  appointing  a  day  of  public  thankf- 

V^^lt  enumerating  the  public  blefSngs  received  in  the  courfe  of  the 

fcregoii^g  year. 

s  The 

■  a 


f 6  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION' 

This  pious  cnftom  originated  witli  their  venerable  anceftors,  the 
fir  ft  fcttlcrs  of  New-England,  and  has  been  handed  down  through 
the  fucceffive  generations  of  their  poflerity.  A  ciiftom  fo  rational, 
and  fo  happily  calculated  to  cherifli  in  the  rainds  of  the  people  a 
ienfe  of  their  dependence  on  the  Great  Benefactor  of  the  world 
for  all  their  blcflings,  it  is  hoped  will  ever  be  preferved. 

The  people  of  New-England  generally  obtain  their  eftates  by  hard 
and  perfevering  labour :  they  of  confequence  know  their  value, 
and  fpend  with  frugality.  Yet  in  no  country  do  the  indigent  and 
unfortunate  fare  better.  Their  laws  oblige  every  town  to  provide  a 
competent  maintenance  for  thcrr  poor,  and  the  neceffitous  flranger  is 
protected,  and  reheved  by  their  humane  inftitutions^  It  may  in 
truth  be  faid,  that  in  no  part  of  the  world  are  the  people  happier, 
better  furniihed  with  the  neceflaries  and  convenicncles  of  life,  or 
more  independent,  than  the  farmers  of  New-England.  As  the 
great  body  of  the  people  are  hardy,  independent  freeholders,  their 
manners  are,  as  they  ought  to  be,  congenial  to  their  employment, 
plain,  fimple,  and  unpoliflied.  Strangers  are  received  and  enter- 
tained among  them  with  a  great  deal  of  lartlefs  fincerity,  and  friendly^ 
informal  bo /pi  tali ty.  Their  children,  thofe  imhathfe  creatures^  to 
whofc  education  particular  attention  is  paid,  early  imbibe  the  man- 
ners and  habits  of  thofe  around  them  ;  and  the  flranger,  with  plear 
fure,  notices  the  honeft  and  decent  refped  that  is  paid  kim  by  the 
children  as  he  pafTcs  through  the  country. 

As  the  people,  by  reprefentation,.  make  their  own  laws  and  ap- 
point their  own  officers,  they  cannot  be  opprefled ;  and  living  under 
V  governments  which  have  few  lucrative  places,  they  have  few  motives 
to  bribery,  corrupt  canvaflings,  or  intrigue.  Real  abilities  and  a 
moral  chara6ler  unblemiflied  are  the  qualifications  requifite  in  the  view 
of  moft  people,  for  officers  of  public  truft.  The  expreffion  of  a  wifh* 
to  be  promoted,  is,  in  fome  parts  of  New-England,  the  direct  way  to 
be  difappointed. 

The  inhabitants,  in  fome  parts  of  New  England,  are  generally 
fond  of  the  arts  and  fciences,  and  have  cultivated  them  with  great 
fuccefs.  Their  colleges  have  fiouriflie'd.  The  illuftrious  chara^kers 
they  have  produced,  who  have  diftinguiflied  themfelves  in  politics, 
law,  divinity,  the  mathematics,  and  philofophy,  natural  and  civil 
hiftor}-,  and  in  the  fine  arts,  particularly  poetry,  evince  the  truth  of 
theie  obfervations. 

The 


OP   NEW    ENGLAND^  XJ 

The  t^mcto  in  New-Eoglaiid  generally  have  fair^    Frefb^  and 
healthful  countenances,  mingled  with  much  female  foftnefs  and  dc* 
ikicy.    Tbofe  who  have  had  the  advantage)  of  a  good  education^ 
cndtheyan  numereus^  are  genteel,  eafy^  and  agreeable  in  their  man* 
iiers;  and  are  fprightJy  and  feniible  in  their  toilverfation.     They  are 
early  taoght  to  manage  domeftic  concerns  with  neatnefs  and  economy. 
Women  of  the  firft  rank  aad  fortune  make  it  a  part  of  their  daily  bu« 
oe&tofiiperimettd  the  affairs  of  the  family.  Employment  at  the  needle, 
cookery,  and  at  the  fpinning  whed,  with  them  «  honourable.    Idle-     I 
Dcf$,  even  in  thofc  of  independent  fbrtUnes>  is  univerfally  difrepu- 
teble,    Tke  women  in  country  towns  manufe<flure  the  greatcft  port 
t>f  the  doidiing  of  their  iwnilies.    Their  linen  and  woollen  cloths 
art  (bong  and  decent^   Thetr  butter  and  cheefe  ia  not  inferior  to  any 
ib  the  world. 

Daaciag  is  the  principal  and  i&vourite  amufement  in  New^Eng» 
hod ;  and  of  this  the  young  people  of  both  fexes  are  extremely  fond. 
Gaming  is  pnidifed  by  none  but  thofe  who  cannot,  or  rather  will 
not,  find  a  reputable  employment.  The  ^amefler^  the  horfe  jockey^ 
and  the  knavt^  arc  equally  defpifed^  and  their  company  is  avoided 
hy  all  who  would  fuftain  fair  and  irreproachable  characters. 

The  athletic  and  healthy  diVerfions  of  cricket,  foot  ball^  quoits^ 
tntfUiog,  jumping^  hopping,  foot  races,  and  prifon  bars,  are  uni- 
verfally pradtifed  in  the  country,  and  fomc  of  them  in  the  mod  po- 
pulous places,  and  by  people  of  almoin  all  ranks. 

SquirreKhunting  is  a  noted  diveriion  in  country  places^  where  this 

kind  of  game  is  plenty :  fome  divert  themfelves  with  fox-hunting,  and 

others  with  the  more  proHtabie  fporrs  of  fiihing and  duck-shunting;  and 

in  the  frontier  fettkments  where  dder  and  fur  game  abound^  the  inha^ 

bJ^anrs  make  a  lucrative  fport  of  hunting  therii.     In  the  winter 

ftafon,  while  the  ground  is  covered  with  fnow,  which  is  commonly 

two  or  three  months^  fleighing  is  the  general  diverfion.    'A  great 

part  of  the  families  throughout  the  countiy  are  furnifhed  with  horfes 

W  ileighs^ 

HISTORY  OF  ITS  SETTLEMENT,  fcc. 
New-Etigisuid  was  difcovcred  in  the  beginning  of  the  laft  cfciituiy, 
and  called  North- VirginS  \  the  firft  European  fettlement  was  formed 
in  1608 ;  this  firfl  colony,  which  was  weak  and  ill-dire6!ed,  did  not 
fucceed,  and  for  fome  time  after  there  were  only  a  few  adventurers  who 
Wtnt  over  at  times  in  the  fummcr>  built  themfelves  temporary  huts 
for  the  pufpofc  •£  Qrading  with  the  favages,  and^  like  them,  difap- 
Vol*  II*  D  pesu^d 


iS  GENERAL   DESCRIPTION 

pearcd  again  far  the  reft  of  the  year ;  but  fanaticifm,  which  YtsA 
depopulated  America  in  the  South,  was  deflined  to  re-people  it  in 
the  North.  New-England  owes  its  regular  fettlemcot  to  religious 
pcrfccution.  Soon  after  the  coramencement  of  the  reformation  in 
England,*  which  was  not  until  the  year  1 534,  the  Protcftants  were 
divided  into  two  parties,  one  the  followers  of  Luther,  and.  the. 
Other  of  Calvin.  The  former  had  chofen  gradually,  and  aln>ofl  im- 
perceptibly, to  recede  from  the  Church  of  Rome  ^  while  the  latter, 
more  zealous,  and  convinced  of  the  importance  of  a  thorough. re- 
formation, and  at  the  fame  time  poflefling  much  firmnefs  and  high 
notions  of  religious  liberty,*  was  for  effeding  a  thorough  change 
at  once.  Their  confequent  endeavours  to  expunge  from  the  church 
all  the  inventions  which  had  been  brought  into  it  fince  the  days  of 
the  Apolllcs,  and  to  introduce  "  Scripture  purity,"  obtained  for 
Uiem  the  name  of  Pur  it  a. vs. 

A  number  of  thefe  people,  upon  the  borders  of  Nottingham Qiire, 
Uncolnihire,  and  Yorkfliire,  having  fuffered  perfecution  patiently 
for  years,  and  fearched  the  Scriptures  diligently,  were  at  length  fully 
of  opinion,  that  the  ceremonies  of  the  Englifh  church  were  unlanvfuli 
that  the  lordly  power  of  her  prelates  was  contrary  to  the  freedom  of 
the  gofpel ;  and  that  her  offices,  courts,  and  canons,  had  no  warrant 
in  the  word  of  God.  They  determined,  therefore,^  to  fhake  off 
human  impofitions,  brought  into  the  church  againft  the  fuperior 
law  of  Chrill,  the  genius  of  his  plain  religion  and  Chriftian  liberty. 
They  refolved,  as  the  Lord's  free  people,  *'  to  join  tbcmfehes  hy  covenant 
*'  into  a  church  Jiate  \  andy  agreeably  to  prcfent  or  future  kTWViilcdgef 
*'.  to  walk  in  all  the  'ways  of  Godj  according  to  their  hefi  ahilities^  ivhat* 
"  ever  it  cofi  them  J**  \ 

The  aiTembly,  owing  to  the  diflance  of  habitations,  was  obliged 
to  form  itfelf  into  two  diftindt  reUgious  focieties;  the  one,  with 
which  is  our  concern,  foon  had  for  its  paftor  the  famous  Mr.  John 
Robinfon.  The  church  kept  together  about  a  year ;  but  being  ex- 
tremely harafled  by  perfecution,  concluded  upon  removing  to  Hol- 
land. The  pious  refugees  repaired  to  and  fettled  at  Amfterdam  ;  but 
after  a  while  removed  to  Leyden;  where  they  were  highly  re- 
^peded,  and  would  have  hcv^n  allowed  fome  public  favour,  had  it 
pot  been  for  fear  of  offending  England.  By  hard  and  continued  la- 
bour 

*  Such  was  tlie  rapid  growth  of  the  Proteftant  intercft,  that  in  1563,  only  forty -fix 
years  after  the  commencement  of  the  reformation  by  Luther,  there  were  in  Fiance  alone 
tA'O  thoufandone  hundreJJ  and  fifty  aiTcmblies  of  Protcftants. 

f  Prince's  Ncw-England^Chronology,  Parti,  p.  4. 


OP    NfiW    El^OLAND,  I9 

boor  the/ obtained  a  living.  The  Dutch  employed  them  before 
bthei^  fbr  their  hroneft  and  exeftiplary  behaviour,  and  readily  trufted 
them- when  in  want  of  moneys  Matters,  however,  were  not  alto- 
gether to  their  mind  ;  and  fome  of  the  moft  feniible  in  161 7  began 
to  think  of  another  removal.  It  was  imagined,  that  if  a  better  and 
eaficr  place  of  living  could  be  had,  numbers  would  join  them.  The 
.  iDorali  of 'the  Dutch  were  too  diflblute,  and  they  were  afraid  that 
their  offspring  would  become  irreligious.  Befide,  they  had  an  ar» 
dent,  noble,  and  godly  defire,  of  laying  a  foundation  for  fpreading 
the  religion  of  Jefus  over  the  remote  regions  of  the  earth,  and  of 
handing  down  to  future  ages,  what  they  thought  to  be  the  pure  and 
unadulterated  worfliip  of  the  great  Jehovah.  They  therefore  di- 
K^ed  their  views  to  America.  To  thofe  who  objeded— tlie  length 
and  danger  of  the  voyage,  the  difficulties  and  calamities  to  which 
they  fhould  be  expol^d,  the  barbarities  and  treacheries  of  the  In- 
fens,  and  their  inability  to  fupport  the  expence— -it  was  anfwered, 
**  The  difficulties  are  not  invincible,  and  may  be  overcome  by  for- 
titude and  patience  ;  the  ends  propofed  are  good  and  honourable ; 
the  calling  lawful  and  urgent ;  the  bleffing  of  God  may  therefore 
be  expeded.  We  live  but  as  exiles  now,  and  are  in  a  poor  condi* 
tion.  The  truce  with  the  Spaniards  is  haftening  to  a  clofe.  No- 
thing but  preparations  for  war  are  going  forward.  The  Spaniards 
may  be  as  cruel  as  the  favages  ;  and  famine  and  peftilence  may  be  as 
fore  in  Holland  as  in  America." 

After 'ferious  and  folemn  application  to  God  for  diire6tion,  they 
concluded  on  carrying  the  propofal  of  croffing  the  Atlantic  into  exe- 
cution, intending  to  live  in  a  diftindt  body  by  themfelves,  under 
the  general  government  of  the  Virginia  Company,  and  to  fue  to  his 
fljajefty.  King  James,  for  full  liberty  and  freedom  of  confcience. 

The  Virginia  Company  granted  them  a  patent,  with  as  ample 

privileges  as  they  could ;   but,   notwithllanding  the  great  intereft 

made  by  gentlemen  of  the  firft  chara6ter,  and  by  the  chief  fecrctary 

of  ftate,  the  king  and  bishops  refufed  to  allow  the  refugees,  though 

at  the  diftance  of  three  thoufand  miles,  liberty  of  confcience  under 

the  royal  feal.     All  they  could  obtain  from  his  majefty,  was  a  pro- 

mife  that  he  would  connive  at,  and  not  moled  thefti,  provided  they 

carried  themfelves  peiceably ;  but  he  would  not  tolerate  them  by 

his  public  authority.    Upon  this  occalion  it  was  wifely  obferved, 

"  If  his  majefty's  promife .  is  no  fecurity,   a  further  confirmatioa 

will  be  of  little  value ;  though  it  has  a  feal  as  bro^  as  the  boufis* 

D  %  floor. 


20  GENERAL   DESCRIPTION 

floor,  it  will  not  ferve  the  turn,  for.  there  will  be  tneas^  eooir 
fquod,  when  wanted,  to  recall  or  reverfe  it;  and  we  muft  reft 
herein  on  God*a  Providence."  This  reafoning,  and  the  iiope  of 
being  placed  beyond  the  reach  of  cccleiiaftical  courts,  prcvaiiedi 
They  reiohred  to  venture ;  and,  after  ioag  attendan<;r,  ouicb.  cofk- 
ind  labour,  obtained  a  patent. 

They  agreed,  that  the  minor  part  of  younger  and  firoager  men^ 
with  Mr,  .Brewfler,  an  elder  of  the  church,  ibould  go  firil,  and 
that  their  paftor,  Mr.  Kobinfon,  fhould  remain  behind  with,  the  ma<^ 
jority,  for  a  future  favourable  opportunity. 

The  colony  dcftined  for  America  failed  from  Delft^Haven  for 
Southampton  on  the  zzd  of  July,  1620,  and  there  met  a  (hip,  having 
ibme  £ngU(h  friends  on. board,  who  propofed  removing  with  them. 
Both  veflels  proceeded  to  fea,  but  returned  twice  into  port,  on  aj&» 
count  of  defers  in  the  one  from  Delft,  which  was  difiniflcd* 
Part  of  the  company  returned  to  London,  the  remainder  betool^ 
themfelves  to  the  fliip,  and  failed  fron^  Plymouth  the  6th  of  Sep- 
tember. After  niany  delays,  difficulties,  and  dangers,  they  made 
Cape  C^od  at  break  of  day  om  th^  9th  of  Noy^berj^  and  ^tered  th^ 
tiarbour  on  the  loth. 

It  was  their  intention  to  have  fettled  at  the  mouth  of  HudloA's 
river;  but  the  Dutch,  intending  to  plant  a  colqny  ther^  of  their 
own,  privately  hired  the  matter  of 'the  fliip  to  contrive  delays  ia 
England,  and  then  to  condu^  them  to  thefe  northern  coa^y  and 
there>  under  pretence  of  flioals  and  winter,  to  difcourage  them  ffoao^ 
venturing  to  the  place  of  deftination.  This  is  confidently  aflerted- 
|>y  the  hiilorians  of  that  time.  Although  Cape  Cod  Harbour  waa 
good,  the  country  around  was  fandy  and  barren.  Thefe  were  diC^ 
couraging  circumfiances ;  but  the  feafon  being  far  advanced,  they 
prudently  determined  to  make  the  bed  of  their  prefent  fituation. 

As  they  were  not  within  the  limits  of  their  pa;(ent,  and  coxi- 
fequently   not  under  the  jurifdidion  of  the  Virginia  Company^ 
•they    concluded    it .  peceifary  to  eftablifh  a  feparate  government 
for    themfelves.     Accordingly,   before    they  landed,    having,  de- 
voutly given  thanks  to  God  for  their  fafc  arrival,   they  formed 
'diemfelves  into  a  body  politic,  by  t^foUmn  coniroB,  to  which  ^y  all 
fobfcribed,  thereby  making  it  the  bafis  of  their  government.    Th^ 
.chofe  Mr.  John  Carver,  a  :gentlen)an  of  pie^  and  approved  abili*' 
.ties,  to  be  their  governor  for  the  grft  year*.    Jhis  was  op  tbe  x  ith 
-^f  N9yemher,^0ji9^ 

Their 


OF   MEW   ENOLAND.  CI 

Their  Boct  objeft  was  to  fix  on  a  convenient  place  fer  fettletnent* 
In  doing  this  they  were  obliged  to  encounter  numerous  difficultiet^ 
and  to  fttffcr  incredible  hardfhips.  Many  of  them  were  fick  in  con- 
icquence  of  the  fatigues  of  a  long  royage ;  their  provilions  were 
bad— the  fealon  was  unconunonly  cold — the  India ns,  though  after- 
wards friendly,  were  now  hoftile — and  they  were  unacquainted  with 
the  coalL  Thefe  difficulties  they  furmounted,  and  on  the  31ft  of 
December  the/  were  all  fafely  landed  at  a  place,  which,  in  grateful 
commemoration  of  Plymouth  in  England,  the  town  which  they  laft 
left  in  their  native  land,  they  called  Plymouth.  This  is  the  firft 
£ngiifh  town  that  was  fettled  in  New.£ngland« 

In  fome  of  their  excurfions  in  fcirch  of  a  fuitable  place  for  fet- 
tlement,  they  found  buried  feveral  baflcets  of  Indian  corn,  to  the 
amount  of  ten  bufiiels,  which  fortunately  ferved  them  for  planting 
the  next  fpring,  and  perhaps  was  the  means  of  prefervbg  them  from 
periihing  with  hunger.  They  made  diligent  inquiry  for  the  owners, 
whom  they  found,  and  afterwards  paid  the  full  value  of  the  com. 

Before  the  end  of  November,  Sufanna,  the  Wife  of  William 
White,  was  delivered  of  a  fon,  whom  they  called  Peregrine ;  ha  is 
fuppofed  to  have  been  the  firft  child  of  European  extraction  bom  in 
New-England. 

The  whole  company  that  landed  confined  of  but  one  hundred 

tod  one  fouls ;   their  fituation  was  difbefiing,  and  their  profpef^ 

tmly  difmal  and  difcouraging.    Their  neareft  neighbours,  except  the 

aativcs,  were  a  French  fettlement  at  Port  Royal,  and  one  of  the 

fnglifh  at  Virginia.    The  neareft  of  thefe  was  five  hundred  miles 

ftom  them,  and  utterly  incapable  of  affording  them  relief  in  a  time 

ef  famine  or  danger.    Wherever  they  turned  their  eyes,  diflrefa 

IP  before  them.    Perfecuted  for  religion  in  their  native  land— 

^Tttved  for  the  profanation  of  the  Sabbath,  and  other  licentiouihcfl 

io  Holland — ^fatigued  by  their  long  and  boiflerous  voyage—di&p* 

pointed  through  the  treachery  of  their  c^^mmander  of  their  expeAed 

country— /orced  on  a  dangerous  and  unknown  fliore,  in  the  advance 

^  a  cold  winter— ^furrounded  by  hoftile  barbarians,  without  any 

hope  of  human  fuccour — denied  the  aid  or  favour  of  the  court  of 

^glknd—without  a  public  promife  of  a  peaceable  enjoyment  of 

diehr  J^gious  liberties — worn  out  with  toil  and  fufiferlngs,   and 

without  convenient  (belter  fiom  the  rigours  of  the   weather.— 

Such  were  the  profpedls,  and  fuch  the  fituation  of  thefe  pious  foli? 

1917  ChfiAians ;  u4^  to  add  to  their  diftreifeii,  a  general  and  ^fety 

mortal 


at  GENERAL   DESCRIPTION 

mortal  fickncfs  prevailed  among  them,  which  fwcpt  off  forty-fix  - 
their  number  befone  the  opening  of  the  next  fpring.  To  fuppca 
them  wider  thefc  trials,  they  had  need  of  all  the  aids  and  comfoj 
which  Chriftianity  affords ;  and  thefe  were  fufficient.  The  free  ai 
unnoolefled  eijjojrmcnt  of  their  religion  reconciled  them  to  the 
humble  and  lonely  fituation — they  bore  their  hardftiips  with  uncz 
amplcd  patience,  and  perfevered  in  their  pilgrimage  of  almoft  n 
paralleled  trials,  with  fiich  relignation  and  cahnnefs,  as  gave  proof 
great  piety  and  unconquerable  virtue. 

It  would  have  been  allonifhing,  had  not  thefc  planters  carri 
with  them  opinions  favourable  tp  liberty.  The  arbitrary  procecdir» 
of  Elizabeth  and  James  produced  a  fpirit  of  inquiry,  and  indiicr: 
the  fuiferers  and  others  to  canvafs  the  equity  of  thofe  powers  whi. 
were  fo  improperly  exercifcd.  When  the  film  of  prejudice  was  i 
moved^  it  was  eafy  to  difcem  that  tyranny,  whether  in  church 
Jlatfy  could  not  be  vindicated  by  reafon  or  revelation;  and  tli 
Heaven's  permitting  it,  was  no  more  a  countenance  to  that  than  ai 
othet  wickednefs^  Befrde,  the  Plymouthians  had  lived  for  yea 
among  a  j)eople,  who  had  been  engaged  in  a  bloody  war  with  a  cru( 
unrelenting  tyrant,  whofe  fovtreignty  they  had  renounced.  Th 
frequent  converfation  that  muft  have  palTed  between  the  Dutch  an 
"Englifh  refugees,  muft  have  improved  the  attachment  of  the  Ja 
to  the  caufe  of  freedom.  It  might  alfo  have  been  hinted  to  their 
ihat  it  began  to  be  the  fentiment  of  fome  Englifh  nobles  and  princ 
pal  commoners,  that  in  cafe  of  a  removal  to  America,  perfonf 
without  any  charter  from  the  crown,  were  at  liberty  to  eftablif 
what  form  of  government  they  pleafed,  and  to  fet  up  a  new  flatd 
as  fnHy,  to  all  fntents  and  purpofes,  as  though  they  were  makiif 
their  firft  entrance  into  civil  fociety. 

No  wonder  then,  efpecially  confidering  the  general  equality  pre 
vailing  among  them,  that  the  Plymouthians,  by  their  contract  befor 
landing,  formed  themfelves  into  a  proper  democracy  ;  and  that  it  ws 
enteiied  in  the  Plymouth  records  of  1636,  "  Finding,  that  as  free 
born  fubje6h  of  the  flate  of  England,  we  hither  came  with  alf  an 
£ngular  the  privileges  belonging  to  fuch  ;  in  the  -firft  place  we  thin 
good,  that  h  be  eftablHhed  for  an  a6t,  that,  according  to  the  right 
fttppofed  to  le  '•Manting^  and  due  privileges  of  the  fnbjeHs  aforefaic 
no  impofition,  law,  oc  ordinance,  be  made  or  impofed  upon  us  * 
prcfent,  or  to  come;  but  fuch  as  fhall  be  made  and  im|>ofed  b 
confcnt,  according  <o  the  free  liberties  of  free-born  f|ibje6ts'oiF*ft 

ftai 


OF.  NEW    ENGLAKD,  23 

kitte  and  kingdom  of  England,  and  no  othcrwife."  They  meant  to  con* 
i  nuc  their  allegiance  to  the  crown — to  retain  their  connexion  with  the 
nocher  country — ^to  adopt  the  general  laws  of  England  for  the  nilc 
i^  government,  wherein  they  fuited — and  to  be  governed  by  their 
y%m  particular  adts  ii^  other  inftances. 

A  better  fet  of  emigrants  never  crofled  the  Atlantic ;  **  they  were 

&  plain,  frugal,  induftrious,  confcientious,  and  loving  people ;  and^ 

For  the  day  in  w^hich  they  lived,  and  confidering  their  education, 

poflefTed  a  good  (hare  of  politenefs.    The  important  light  ia  which 

they  viewed  morality,  led  them,  in  many  inflances,  to  fuch  critical 

exadnefs,  as  would  be  deemed  by  the  moderns  ridiculous ;  from 

t\i»iicc,  however,  the  community  derived  fubftantial  benefits.    They 

have  been  fligmatifed  as  enthufiafts,  but  nothing  like  enthufiafm  is 

to  be  met  with  in  the  records  of  any  of  their  tranfaftions,  either* 

civil  or  ecclefiaftic.     Their  piety  indeed  was  eminent  and  fervent, 

but  it  was  alfo  rational,  and  their  religion  was  that  of  the  Bitde,  and 

W  a  proper  influence  upon  their  condudl." 

On  the  3d  of  November,  1620,  King  James  figned  a  patent,  in- 
orporating  the  Duke  of  Lenox,  the  Marquiiles  of  Buckingham  and 
Hamilton,  the  Earls  of  Arundel  and  Warwick,  Sir  Francis  Gorges, 
with  thirty-four  others,  and  their  fucceflbrs,  fliling  them,  *  The 
council  eftabliflied  in  Plymouth,  in  the  county  of  Devon,  for  the 
planting,  ruling,  ordering,  and  governing  of  New-England  in  Ame- 
rica.' To  this  council  he  granted  all  that  part  of  America  which  lies 
Wween  the  40th  and  48th  degrees  of  north  latitude.  This  patent 
?the  great  civil  bajts  of  all  the  grants  and  patents  by  which  New- 
%land  was  afterwards  divided.  This  council  retained  the  power 
^ed  in  them  by  the  crown  until  the  year  1635,  when  they  refigned 
^  charter. 

Ia  March,  1621,  Mafaflbit,*  one  of  the  moft  powerful  Saga- 
QX)res  of  the  neighbouring  Indians,  with  fixty  attendants,  made  a 
^t  to  the  Plymouth  fettlers,  and  entered  into  a  formal  and  very 
friendly  treaty  with  them,  wherein  they  agreed  to  avoid  injuries  oq 
hoth  fides— to  puniih  offenders — to  reftore  ftolen  goods — to  affiik 
och  other  in  all  juftifiable  wars — to  promote  peace  among  their 
neighbours,  &c. — Mafaflbit  and  his  fucceflbrs,  for  fifty  years,  in- 
vidably  obferved  this  treaty*    The  EngUfli  are  much  indebted  to 

*  The  fatt  of  MAfaflbit  wa9  at  Pakaookit,  on  NamaflLct  river,  whk^  empties  into 
Kviagaoiefi  fiay. 


24  GEKERAL   DESCRIPTION 

him  for  bti  (KeDdfliip,  and  his  mmoff  mil  ever  be  reTpeAed  in 
New-£nglaiid. 

The  Narraganfetiy  difliking  the  conduft  of  Meftflbit,  declared 
war  againft  hinit  which  dccafioned  much  confuiion  and  fighting 
amoDg  the  Indians.  The  Plymouth  colony  interpofed  in  favour  of 
MaMbit,  their  good  ally,  and  teroiinated  the  difpute,  to  the  terror 
of  their  enemies :  even  Canoni^us  him&if,  the  terrific  Sachem  of 
the  Narraganiets^  fued  for  peace. 

The  prudent,  friendlyy  and  upright  cdnduA  of  the  Plymouth  co- 
lony towards  then*  neighbours,  the  Indians,  fecured  their  friendfhip 
and  alliance.  On  the  13th  of  September,  1621,  nolefsthan  nine 
Sachems  declared  allegiance  to  King  James ;  and  Mafaflbit,  widi 
many  of  his  Sub-Sachems,  who  lived  around  the  bays  of  Patuxent 
and  MafHichufetts,  fubfcribed  a  writing,  acknowledging  the  King  of 
England  their  mafier.  Thefe  tranfa^tions  are  fo  many  proofs  of  the 
peaceful  and  benevolent  difpofition  of  the  Plymouth  fettlers ;  for 
had  they  been  otherwife  difpofed,  they  never  could  have  introduced 
and  maintained  a  friendly  intercourfe  with  the  natives. 

On  the  loth  of  September  this  year,  the  king  granted  to  Sir  Wil- 
liam Alesiander  a  patent  of  all  the  tra£t  of  country  bounded  by  a 
line  drawn  from  Cape  Sables  to  the  Bay  of  St.  Mary ;  thence  to 
the  river  St.  Croix  ;  thence  north  to  Canada  river ;  down  the  river 
Gachepe ;  thence  fouth-eafl  to  Cape  Breton  ifland  and  Cape  Breton  ; 
thence  round  to  Cape  Sables ;  with  all  feas  and  iflands  within  fix 
leagues  of  the  weflern  and  eaftern  parts,  and  within  forty  leagues 
fouthward  of  Cape  Breton  and  Cape  Sables  j  to  be  called  Nova 
Scotia^ 

This  year,  16*2,  died  Squanto,  the  friend  of  the  Englifli,  wh» 
merits  to  have  his  name  perpetuated  in  hiilory.  Squanto  was  one 
of  the  twenty  Indians  whom  Hunt  perfidioufly  carried  to  Spain  j 
whence  he  came  to  London,  and  afterwards  returned  to  his  native 
ooufitry  with  the  Plymouth  colony.  Forgetting  the  perfidy  of  thofe 
who  made  him  a  captive,  he  became  a  warm  friend  to  the  Englifh^ 
and  continued  fo  to  the  day  of  his  death.  A  few  days  before  he  died, 
he  defired  the  governor  to  pray  that  he  might  go  to  the  Englifhman's 
God  in  heaven. 

In  Marcfi,  1614,  Mr.  WiniloW,  agent  for  the  colony,  arrived, 
and,  together  with  a  good  fupply  of  cloathing,  brought  a  hull  ^nd 
three  heifers^  which  were  the  firft  cattle  of  the -kind  in  this  part  of 
America.    Froin  thefe,  and  others  that  were  afterwards  broughb 

3  oYor 


OF    NEW-ENGLAND.  2$ 

t>ver  from  England,  fprang  the  prefent  multitude  of  cattle  in  the 
northern  ftates.  None  of  the  domeflic  animals  were  found  in  Ame- 
rica by  the  firft  European  fettlers. 

At  the  clofcjof  this  year,  1624,  the  plantation  at  New-Plymouth 
conlifted  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  perfons,  who  lived  in  thirty-two 
dwelling  houfes.  Their  ilock  was  a  few  cattle  and  goats,  and  a 
plenty  of  fwine  and  poultry.  Their  town  was  impaled  about  half  a 
mile  in  compafs.  On  a  high  mount  in  the  town  they  had  eredtcd  a 
fort  of  wood,  lime,  and  ftone,  and  a  handfome  watch  tower. 

The  year  1625  is  diftinguiflied  by  the  death  of  the  Rev.  MnRo» 
binfon ;  he  died  at  Leyden  in  March,  in  the  fiftieth  year  of  his  age* 
He  was  truly  a  great  and  good  iTlan,  and  lived  in  great  love  and  har* 
mony  with  his  people ;  he  was  held  in  high  eftimation  by  all  his 
acquaintance,  for  his  learning,  piety,  moderation,  and  excellent  ac- 
complifliments.    His  death  was  lamented  as  a  public  lofs,  and  felt 
by  none  more  than  by  his  beloved  and  far-diftant  people  at  Ply- 
mouth.   His  fon  Ifaac  went  over  to  Plymouth,  where  he  lived  to  the 
age  of  ninety  years.    His  defcendants  ftill  live  in  Barnflable  county, 
in  Maflachufetts. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Robinfon,  the  remaining  part  of  his  con- 
gregation were  extremely  defirous  of  going  over  to  their  friends  at 
Plymouth,  and  meafures  were  taken  for  the  purpofe ;  yet  it  was  not 
until  the  year  1629  that  they  effedled  their  defign. 

ThtPfymout/jians  having  cleared  the  way  for  other  fufferers  to  fettle 

in  America,  with  lefs  difficulty  and  danger  than  what  they  had 

experienced ;  the  fame  of  their  plantation  fpreading  through  the 

weftern  parts  of  England,  and  the  government  in  church  and  (late 

growing  more  and  more  opprefTive ;  the  territory  of  the  Maflachu- 

fettS'Bzy  was  purchafed  of  the  Plymouth-Council,   in  the  year  1628, 

and  a  company  foon  formed,  who  confuhed  on  fettling  a  plantation, 

to  which  non -conforming  puritans  might  emigrate  in  order  M  enjoy 

their  own  principles  in  full  fecurity.    Their  fufFerings  had  been 

moderated  for  a  few  years  before  Elizabeth's  death.    The  queen  was 

far  advanced  in  life ;  the  next  heir  to  the  crown  was  a  preflbyterian, 

who  had  fubfcribed  to  the  Scotch  national  covenant,  and,  with  hands 

uplifted  to  heaven,  had  pronounced,  "  The  Scotch  kirk  the  pureft 

in  the  world,  and  the  fervicc  of  the  kirk  of  England  an  evil  faid  mafs 

in  Englifh,  that  wants  nothing  of  the  mafs  but  the  liftings  :'*  he  had 

interceded' for  fome  of  the  perfecuted  miniftersj  and  the  bifhops 

were  cautbus  of  adting  againil  a  party,  for  whom  King  James  had 

Vol.  II.  £  declared ; 


l6  GENERAL    DESCRIPTIO^T 

declared  :  but  upon  his  afccnding  the  thione,  the  fears  of  tha  higfl 
church.nen  and  the  hopes  of  the  non  conformifts  were  foon  ended. 
It  was  not  long  before  the  king  became  in  the  church  a  furious  pcr- 
fecutor  of  the  non-conformifls,  and  in  the  ftate  as  errant  a  defpot  as 
his  cowardice  would  allow.  In  fligmatizing  for  puritans,  all  who 
ftood  by  the  laws  of  the  land,  and  oppofed  his  arbitrary  government, 
though  ftrenuous  churchmen,  he  ftrengthened  the  caufe  of  the 
church-puritans:  the  former,  called  by  \v:iy  of  diftindtion  ftate-puri- 
tans,  joining  the  latter,  both  together  became  at  length  the  majority 
of  the  nation. 

Still  the  times  were  not  mended ;  and  the  death  of  James  made 
wajr  for  their  becoming  much  worfe.  Charles  took  for  his  bofoni 
dounfellor,  in  religious  affairs,  Bifliop  Laud,  the  moil  unqualified 
perfon  for  the  purpofe  of  any  to  be  found  in  the  three  kingdoms  i 
he  a!fo  refigned  himfelf  up  to  the  mod  arbitrary  councils. 

The  lowering  profpeft  thickened  apace;  the  Mallachufetts  Com- 
pany, therefore,  provided  a  fafe  retreat  in  feafon..  They  applied 
immediately  to  the  improvement  of  their  purchafed  territory,  and 
ftht  out  Captain  John  Endicott  and  others,  with  fervants,  to  begin  a 
plantation,  who  arrived  at,  what  is  now  named,  Salem.  They  foon 
after  petitioned  fo^  a  roynl  charter^  hoping  that  their  exiflence  and 
powers  would  be  thereby  fecured  aiid  promoted.  They  fucceeded^ 
and  on  the  4th  of  March,  1*629,  a  Charter  of  incorporatioh  was 
granted,  making  them  a  body  politic,  by  the  name  ©f  f'  The  Go- 
vernor and  Company  of  the  MalTachufetts-Bay  in  New-England/* 
with  as  full  powers  as  any  other  corporation  in  the  realm  of  Eng- 
land. The  grant  and  fale  of  the  Plymouth-Council  was  confirmed. 
Till  the  annual  election  by  the  company  could  commence,  the 
governor,  deputy -go  verf  lor,  and  eighteen  alliilants  were  fpecified* 
The  mode  of  governintf,  and  of  admitting  freemen  was  prefcribed. 
They  were  empowered  to  eled  and  conftitute*  fuch  other  officers, 
as  might  be  thought  requifite  for  the  managing  of  their  affairs;  and 
to  make  laws  and  ordinances,  not  Contrary  to  the  laws  and  flatutes 
of  the  realm,  for  the  good  of  the  faid  dompany,  and  the  government 
of  their  lands  and  plantation,  and  the  inhabitaiits  thereof.  They 
were  allowed  to  tranfport  perfons,  whether  fubje6ls  or  ftrangers, 
weapons,  merchandife,  &c.  any  law  to  the  contrary  notwithilanding 
— fuch  was  the  difpenfing  power  the  king  alTumed.  He  alfo  ex-, 
empted  them  from  paying  cuftom  or  fublidy  for  feven  years :  the 
governor  and  company,  their  fadtors  and  afligns,  were  to  pay  neither 

2  that 


OF    NEW-ENGLAND.  2^ 

that  nor  any  taxes  in  New-England  for  the  fame  fpacc.  All  Were  freed 
from  duties  upon  goods  imported  or  exported  for  twenty-one  years, 
except  the  old  five  per  cent,  ciiftom  upon  imports  after  the  expi- 
ration of  the  feven  years.     All  his  majcfty*s  fubjedls  going  to  and 
inhabiting  the  company's  lands,  together  with  their  children,  were 
to  enjoy  all  the  liberties  of  free  and  natural  fubje£ts,  within  any  of 
his  dominions,  the  fame  as  though  born  in  England.     Bcfide,  tbe 
governor  and  company  were  entrufted  with  the  power  of  mukii^Jg 
laws,  oi'dmances,  &c.  not  contrary  to  the  laws  of  England ;  of  fet- 
tling the  government  and  magiftracy  of  the  plantation  and  its  inha- 
bitants ;  of  naming  all  the  officers ;  and  of  fetting  forth  their  fevcral 
duties,  powers,  and  limits ;  and  the  king  coinmanded  that  all  fuch 
laws,  ordinances,  &c.  fliould  be  pnbliflied,   in  writing,   under  the 
common  feal  of  the  company,  and  thereupon  be  carefully  obferved 
and    put  into  execution,   according  to  their  true   meaning.     The 
charter*  does  not  once  mention  liberty  of  confcience  or  toleration  , 
though  one  f  hiftorian  has  inadvertently  advanced,  that  "  free  li- 
berty of  confcience  was  likcwife  granted  to  all  whp  flu  ^Id  fettle  in 
Ithe  Maflachufetts-Bay,   to  worfliip  God  in  their  own  way;*',  and 
another,  J  **  the  charter  granted  toleration  to  all  Chriilians,  e^^cept 
papifts."    The  aflcrtioas  apply  only  to  the  charter  granted  by  King 
"WUIiam'  and  Queen  Mary* 

The  company,  i|i  the  exercife  of  their  chartered  powers,  dete'r- 
mipcd^  on  jhe  30th  of  April,  1629,  that  a  governor  and  council  of 
twelve^  refiding  on  the  plantation,  fliovild  have  the  foj.e  ordering  of 
its  affairs  and  government.  They  appointed  Captain  Endicott  g'o- 
Tcrnor,  and  feven  gentlemen  gojng  from  England  to  be  counrellors, 
aod  directed  ho»!v  the  otljer  five  fliould  be  ^leded,  together  with  a 
deputy-governor  and  fecretary. 

MeiTrs.  Higginfon,  Skelton,  Bright,  John  and  Samuel  Browne, 
were  of  the  feven  counfellors  nominated  by  the  company.  The 
three  firft,  being  minifters,  had  declared  themfelves  to  be  of  one 
judgment,  and  to  be  fully  agreed  irj  the  manner  how  to  exercife 
their  miniftry.  The  company's  comrpittee  in  their  letter  to  Gover- 
j>or  Endicott,  exprefled  good  hopes  on  account  of  it,  and  at  the 
fame  time  recommended  Meflrs.  John  and  Samuel  Browne  as  m^n 


*  Seethe  Charter  in  Hutchinfon's  ColleAion  of  papers,  p.  i — 23. 

f  Ncale's  Hiftory  of  the  Puritans,  4to.  Vol.  I.  p.  543. 

J  DAcchinibn's  Hittory  of  the  MalTachufetts-Bay.  Vol.  II.  p.  3. 

E  z  whom 


a8  GENERAL   DESCRIPTION 

whom  they  much  refpedted,  being  fully  perfuaded  of  their  fincere 
affe^lioDs  to  the  good  of  the  plantation.*  The  minifters  and  paf- 
fengers  were  epifcopally  inclined  when  they  left  England,  though 
they  could  not  conform  to  many  ceremonies  and  cuftoms,  nor  fub- 
roit  to,  what  they  judged,  different  corruptions,  impofed  upon  their 
confciences  by  the  king  and  prelates ;  they  were  alfo  flrongly  pre- 
judiced againft  the  feparatifts,  in  which  clafs  the  Plymouthians  were 
numbered;  but  long  before  they  arrived,  or  even  failed,  a  Doftor 
Fuller,  a  deacon  of  the  church  at  Plymouth,  and  well  verfed  in  its 
difcipline,  having  been  fent  for  on  account  of  a  fatal  (icknefs  which 
broke  out  among  the  emigrants  after  their  arrival  at  Salem,  had, 
by  his  converfation  with  Captain  Endicott,  taken  oif  the  ill  effeft  of 
common  report,  and  brought  him  to  thinkfavourably  of  the  outward 
form  of  worfhip  efpoufed  by  the  Plymouthians,  The  influence  of 
the  doctor's  intercourfe  with  the  Salem  fettlers  cannot  be  thought 
to  have  been  confined  to  the  captain.  When  the  bufinefs  of  orga- 
nizing a  church  was  brought  forward  after  the  arrival  of  the  coun- 
fellors,  the  matter  was  frequently  canvafled,  and  at  length  it  was  de- 
termined to  form  it  nearly  upon  the  plan  of  the  one  at  Plymouth,  and 
to  invite  the  latter  to  be  prefent,  by  their  meflengers,  at  the  ordi- 
nation of  the  minifters  Meffrs.  Skelton  and  Higginfon.  Notwith- 
Handing  crofs  winds,  the  Plymouth  meflengers  were  time  enough 
to  give  the  right  hand  of  fellowftiip,  by  which  ceremony  the  two 
churches  profefled  mutual  affedtion  and  communion. 

While  things  were  thus  fettling  on  the  continent,  Mr.  Matthev/ 
Craddock,  the  governor  in  England,  propofed  at  the  general  court, 
that  for  the  advancement  of  the  plantation,  the  encouragement  of 
perfons  of  worth  and  quality  to  tranfplant  themfelves  and  families, 
and  other  weighty  reafons,  the  govern nnent  of  the  plantation  (hould 
be  transferred  to  its  inhabitants,  and  not  be  continued  in  fubordi- 
nation  to  the  company  at  London  :  the  matter  was  debated,  and  it 
was  agreed,  that  the  perfons  prefent  fliould  ferioufly  coniider  the 
bufinefs  againft  the  next  general  court ;  it  was  a'fo  requefted^  that 
they  would  in  the  mean  while  condu6k  themfelves  with  fuch  privacy 
that  the  aifair  might  not  be  divulged.  At  a  moiuh's  end  they  met, 
and  agreed,  that  the  government  and  patent  fliould  be  fettled  in  New- 
England,  if  it  could  be  done  legally. 

*  Suffolk  Records 


OF   NEW-ENGLAND.  29 

The  advice  of  council  was  ordered  to  be  taken,  and  It  was  con- 
fidered  hpw  to  execute  the  projeded  removal  without  offending 
government. 

On  the  zoth  of  October  the  company,  at  a  general  court,  proceeded 
to  a  new  ele6iion  of  officers,  who  were  to  repair  to  and  fettle  in 
New-England.    They  chofe  for  governor  John  Winthrop,  Efq.  of 
Groton,  in  Suffolk,  a  gentleman  well  knpwn  for  his  piety,  liberality, 
wifdom,  and  gravity.     The  bufinefs  of  transferring  the  patent  and 
corporation,  and  of  taking  over  new  fetders,  was  profecuted  with 
vigour.    This  enterprife  produced  a  general  rumour,  as  its  extent 
and  magnitude,  the  number  and  principles  of  the  perfons  engaged  in 
it,  opened  upon  the  public.     The  intentions  of  the  parties  being 
fuipe£ted,  and  jealouiies  arifing  concerning  them.  Governor  Win- 
throp, and  other  gentlemen,  to  remove  prejudices,  conciliate  the 
minds    of  the  difaffefted,    and  recommend  themfelves  and  their 
expedition  to  the  favourable  regards  of  all  ferious  Chriftians  of  the 
cpifcopal  perfuafion,  addrefled  their  brethren  in  and  of  the  Church 
of  England,    and  afterwards  failed  from  Yarmouth  in  the  Ifle  of 
Wight,  to  America,  April  7,  i630# 

The  company  arrived  at  Salem  on  June  12,  and  foon  after  were 
in  number  more  than  fifteen  hundred  perfons,  from  different  coun- 
ties in  England.     They  applied  themfelves  early  to  the  forming  of 
churches ;  but  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cotton,  who  went  from  Bofton  in  Lin- 
col  nfhire,  to  take  leave  of  his  departing  friends  at  Southampton, 
having  told  them  to  advife.with  the  Plymouthians,  and  to  do  nothing 
to  offend  them,  and  a  precedent  exifling  in  the  church  at  Salem, 
they  difmifled  all  the  peculiarities  of  epifcopacy,  and  preferred  the 
congregational  mode  in  general.    However,    they  had  no  fettled 
p/an  of  church  difcipline,  till  after  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Cotton  in  1633, 
who  was  confidered  as  a  kind  of  oracle  in  both  civil  and  facred  mat- 
ters, and  gradually  moulded  all  their  church  adminiilrations,  and 
thus  determined  the  ecclefiaftical  conflitution  of  the  colony. 

From  this  time  New-England  began  to  flourifh.  Settlements  were 
fuccefsfully  enterprized  at  Charlefion,  Boflon,  Dorchefler,  and 
other  places,  fo  that  in  f<ftrty  years  from  this  period,  one  hundred 
and  twenty  towns  were  fettled,  and  forty  churches  were  ga- 
thered. 

The  Laudian  perfccution  was  condu<5ted  with  unrelenting  feye- 
rity ;  and  while  it  caufed  the  deftrui^ion  of  thoufands  in  England, 
proved  to  be  a  principle  of  life  and  vigour  to  the  infant  fettlements  in« 

America 


30  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

America.  Several  men  of  eminence  in  England,  who  were  the 
friends  and  proteftors  of  the  Puritans,  entertained  deligns  of  fettling 
in  New-England,  if  they  fliould  fail  in  the  meafures  they  were  pur- 
fuitig  for  the  eflablifhment  of  the  liberty,  and  the  reformation  of  the 
religion  of  their  own  country.  They  folicited  and  obtained  grants  in 
New-England,  and  were  at  great  pains  in  fettling  them.  Amon,g 
thefe  patentees  were  the  Lords  Brook,  Say  and  Seal,  the  Pelhams, 
the  Hampdehs,  and  the  Pyms ;  names  which  afterwards  appeared 
with  great  eclat.  Sir  Matthew  Boynton,  Sir  William  Conftable,  $ir 
Arthur  Haflerig,  and  Oliver  Cromwell,  were  adlually  upon  the 
point  of  embarking  for  New-England,  when  Archbifhop  Laud,  un- 
willing that  fo  many  objects  of  his  hatred  fliould  be  removed  out  of 
•  the  reach  of  his  power,  applied  for,  and  obtained  an  order  from  the 
^ourt  to  put  a  Hop  to  thefe  tr^nfportations.  However,  he  was  not 
able  to  prevail  fo  far  as  to  hinder  New-Engtand  from  receiving  vaft 
additions,  as  well  of  the  clergy,  who  were  filenced  and  deprived  of 
■ffaeir  living  for  non-conformitjr,  as  of  the  laity  who  adhered  to  their 
*l)pfnions. 

It  was  in  the  fpring  of  this  year,  1630,  that  the  great  conspi* 
*ACY  was  fentered  into  by  the  Indians  in  all  parts,  from  the  Narra- 
ganfets  round  to  the  ealtward,  to  extirpate  the  Englifli.  The  co- 
■Jony  at  Plymouth  was  the  principal  object  of  this  confpiracy  ;  they 
well^knew  that  if  they  could  efFeift  the  deftru(^ion  of  Plymouth,  the 
infat^t  fettlement  at  Maflachufetts  would  fall  an  eafy  facrifice,  They 
•laid  their  plan  with  much  art.  Under  colour  of  having  fome 
diverfion  at  Plymouth,  they  intended  to  have  fallen  upon  the  inhabi- 
tants, and  thus  to  have  effefted  their  defign.  But  their  plot  was  dif- 
clofed  to  the  people  of  Charlefton  by  John  Sagamore,  an  Indian, 
vho  had  ahvays  been  a  great  friend  to  the  Englifli.  The  treacher- 
cfus  defign  of  the  Indians  alarmed  the  Englifli,  and  induced  them  to 
cre«Sk  forts  and  maintain' guards,  to  prevent  any  fuch  fatal  furprize 
in  future.  Thefe  preparations,  and  the  firing  of  the  great  guns^  fo 
terrified  the  Indians,  that  they  difperfed,  relinquiflied  their  defign, 
and  declared  themfelves  the  friends  of  the  Englifli. 

From  the  beginning  of  the  colony  *of  Mafl[achufetts,  until  the 
emigration  ceafcd,  through  a  change  of  affairs  in  England,  in  164Q, 
there  arrivecf  in  two  hundred  and  ninety-eight  veflTels,  about  twenty- 
o.nc  thoufand  two  hundred  fettlers,  men,  women,  and  children,  or 
fourthoyland  families,  but  they  did  not  all  confine  themfelves  to  the 
Jdaffachufctts,    Thefe  fettlers  >v^re  no  lefs  fl:renuous  for  their  own 

particular 


OP  n£w-englanO.  31 

particular  rights  and  advantages  than  the  Plymouthians.  When,  there- 
fore, the  governor  and  company  removed  from  London  to  the  MafTa-* 
chufetts,  they  renounced  the  appearance  of  a  corporation,  and  af- 
fttmed  the  form  of  a  commonwealth,  varying,  as  it  fuited  them, 
from  the  directions  of  the  charter.    The  change  of  place  and  circum- 
ftances  prevented  their  keeping  to  it  in  certain  inftances,  though  not. 
in  others  ;  but  they  could  eafily  fatisfy  themfelves  as  to  any  viola* 
tions,  for  "  they  apprehended  themfelves  fubje<^  to  no  other  laws 
or  rules  of  government,  than  what  arofe  from  natural  reafon  and  the 
principles  of  equity,    except  any  politive  rules  from  the  word  of 
God.*'*     Perfons  of  influence  among  them  held,  that  birth  was  no 
nccelTaiy  caufe  of  fubjeftion ;  for  that  the  fubjed  of  any  prince  or 
ftate  had  a  natural  right  to  remove  to  any  other  flate  or  quarter  of 
the  v^orld,  when  deprived  of  liberty  of  confcience,  and  that  upon 
fuch  removal  his  fubjeCtion  ceafed.     They  called  their  own  a  volun- 
tary civil  fubje£lion,    arifing  merely  from  a  mutual  compact  be- 
tween them  and  the  king,  founded  upon  the  charter.     By  this  com- 
paft,  they  acknowledged  themfelves  bound,  fo  that  they  could  not 
befubjecSt  to,  or  feek  protection  from,  any  other  prince,  neitl^r  could 
ttiake  laws  repugnant  to  thofe  of  England,  &c.  but,  on  the  other 
hand,  they  maintained  that  they  were  to  be  governed  by  laws  made 
by  themfelves,  and  by  officers  of  their  own  eleding.f     They  meant 
to  be  independent  of  Englifli  parliaments,  and  therefore,  wherf  their 
intimate  friends  were  become  leading  members  in  the  Houfe  of  Com- 
laoDS,     and  they  were  advifed,   on  account  of  the  great  liberty  to 
which  King  Charles  left  the  parliament,  to  fend  over  fome  to  folicit 
(or  them,  and  had  hopes  given  that  they  might  obtain  much,  the  go*, 
vetnor.  and  affiftants,  after  meeting  in  council  upon  the  occafion, 
"  declined  the  motion,  on  this  confideration,  that  if  they  fhould  put 
themfelves  undier  the  protection  of  the  parliament,  they  muft  then  be 
fubjedit  to  all  fuch  laws  as  they  (hoiild  make,  or  at  lead  fuch  as  they 
might   impofe  upon  them,  in  which  cafe,  though  they  fliould  in- 
tend their  good,  yet,  it  might  prove  very  prejudicial  to  them."  J 

Whatever  approbation  fuch  fentiments  may  meet  with  from  the 
friends  of  liberty,  thefe  muft  regret  the  inconfiftencies  to  which  hu- 

*  Hutchinfun's  Letter  of  December  7,  1762.. 
f  Hutchinfon's  Hiftory,  vol.  I.  p.  251,  and  152. 
X  Extn^t  from  Governor  Winthrop's  MS.  Hiftory. 


32  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

roan  nature  is  fubjc£t,  in  thofe  very  perfons  whofe  experience 
Ihould  have  taught  them,  to  do  unto  others,  as  they  would  that  others 
fhould  have  done  unto  them,  when  they  themfelves  were  fuffering 
under  the  relentlefs  hand  of  arbitrary  government.  But  what  is 
man !  So  early  as  the  fecond  general  court  after  the  arrival  of  the 
governor  and  company,  held  May  i8,  163 1,  inftead  of  refolving  to 
jadmit  all  the  fuitabile  and  deferving  to  a  generous  participation  of  their 
freedom,  they  paiTed  Xhz  pernicious  and  dijingenuous  order,  "  For  time 
to  come,  no  man  Jhall  he  admitted  to  the  freedom  of  this  ho  dy  politic^  hut 
fuch  as  are  members  of  fome  of  the  churches  ijuithin  the  limits  of  the 
/ameJ*^*  They  foon  after  concluded,  that  none  but  fuch  fhould  fhare 
in  the  admin iftration  of  civil  government,  or  have  a  voice  in  any  elec* 
tion.  Thus  a  powerful  and  mifchievous  alliance  was  formed  between 
the  churches  and  the  ftate.  The  afcendency  of  the  clergy  was  fecured 
and  much  incrcafed,  for  no  one  could  be  propofcd  to  the  church  for 
a  member,  unlefs  the  minifter  allowed  it.  The  miniflers  were  con- 
fulted  by  the  general  court  in  ail  matters  of  gieat  moment ;  and  no- 
thing was  determined  in  fuch  cafes,  without  a  formal  reference  to 
them,  w^ho,  as  might  be  expelled,  ufed  their  influence  with  the 
people,  to  procure  an  approbatiof^of  the  meafures  which  they  them* 
fclves  had  advifcd.f 

In  May,  1634,  inftead  of  the  freemen's  appearing  perfonally  in 
the  general  court,  they  for  the  firft  time  fent  deputies,  to  the  num« 
ber  of  twenty-four.  This  was  a  variation  from  the  charter,  which 
gave  no  power  to  admit  reprefentatives.  Thefe,  with  the  governor, 
deputy  governor,  andaflMkants,  formed  the  legiflature  of  the  colony,- 
met  and  voted  together  in  one  apartment  till  March  1644,  when  it 
was  ordained,  that  the  governor  and  affiftants  fhould  fit  apart : 
and  thus  commenced  the  Houfe  of  Reprefentatives,  as  a  diftin<Et 
body. 

The  general  court  aflumed  fpiritual  jurifdiftion.  Being  church 
members,  they  might  fuppofe  they  reprefented  the  churches,  no  Icfs 
than  the  colony.  They  would  approve  of  no  churches  after  a'  certain 
period,  March  8,  1636,  unlefs  they  had  the  approbation  of  the  ma-;, 
giftrates  and  elders  of  moft  of  the  churches  within  the  colony,  nor 
would  admit  to  freedom  any  of  their  members.  They  prefled  colo- 
nial uniformity  in  rehgion,  till  they  became  perfccutorj.J     What- 

*  Maffachufctts  Records,  vol.  Ir 

•f*  Hutchinfon's  Hiftory,  vol.  I.  p.  424. 

X  MaflacLufetts  Records,  in  iRSoy  places. 

ever 


b"p    NEW-ENGLAND.  33 

lever  apology  nray  be  made  for  the  treatment  given  to  Episcopa- 
t.1  ANSy  Baptists,  and  Quakers,  the  colony  cannot  be  cleared  from 
the  charge  of  pcrfecuting ;  that,  hoWever,  will  not  juftify  thofe  who 
perfccntc  with  reproaches  and  ill-will  the  prefent  generation,  now 
reprobatrng  ttfc  intolerance  of  thtir  forefethert ,  which  at  that  period 
•was,  more  or  lefs,  the  ftain  of  moft  religious  parties.  **  ft  was  not 
peculiar  to  the  MaiTachufctts  people  to  think  themfelves  bound  in  con- 
fcicnce  to  ufe  tfie  fword  of  the  civil  magiftfate  to  convince,  or  cut  off 

« 

hereticy,  that  fo  they  might  not  infed  the  church,  or  injure  the 
public  peace.'**  Tfie  true  grounds  of  liberty  of  confcience  were  not 
then  known  or  embraced  by  many  fefts  of  Chriftians. 

The  government  of  MafTachufetts  was  in  divers  refpe^ts  abfolute. 

Both  magiftrates  and  general  court  often  judged  and  punifhed,  in  a 

fnmmary  way,  without  a  jury,  according  to  difcretion,  as  occafions 

^curred.    It  Was  four  years  before  it  was  ena6ted  or  ordered,  that 

Tio  trial  fliould  pafs  upon  any  for  life  or  banifhment,  but  by  a  jury 

of  freemen  :  and  within  three  years  after,  that  law  was  violated 

'even  by  the  general  court.    They  exercifed^  while.fitting,  legifla- 

tive,  judicial,  and  executive  powers — a  pradtice  which  muft  ever  be 

'dangerous  to  the  rights  of  a  people,  even  when  allowed  to  their  own 

annual  reprefentatives. 

fhe  country  ^t  length  grew  uneafy  at  thefe  proceedings ;  were 
fuipicioiis  that  the  general  court  affedbed  arbitrary  government,  arid 
temefliy  expe6bed  a  body  of  laws  to  direct  and  prbted  them  in  all 
iheir  jn^  rights  and  privileges. f  It  was  the  more  neceflary  to  comply 
with  the  prevailing  expedlation,  for  the  bufinefs  had  beeii  long  ia 
'agitation  ;  not  only  fo,  but  a  great  majority  of  the  inhabitants  were 
1»t  freemen,  hot  being  members  of  the  congregational  churches^  or 
feJrhing  to  take  up  their  freedom,  in  order  to  fecure  an  exemption 
from  'fervrng  in  ci\41  offices.  It  was  not,  till  1648,  that  the  body  of 
laws  were  digefted  and  printed. 

The  conduft  of  the  colony  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  inveteracy 
of  the  Englifh  adrnjniflration  on  the  other,  would  certainly  have 
produced  ateVocatioh  of  the  charter,  and  probably  the  ruin  of  the 
plantation,  had  hot  the  diflurbances  in  England  prevented.  It  became 
a  fevourite,  upon  the  change  that  followed  them ;  and  while  Oliver 
Cromwell  mled,  met  with  the  utmoft  indulgence.    From  1640,  to 

*  Mr.  John  Calendar's  Century  Sermon. 

f  Maflachufetts  Rccdrcts  for  the  4th  ojf  November,  1 646,  vol.  !• 

V9L.II.  F  2660* 


34  GENERAL    DESGfelPTIOM 

x66o,  it  approached  very  near  to  an  independent  commonwealth.^  Tlitf 
Houfe  of  Commons,  in  a  memorable  refolvc  of  the  loth  of  March, 
1642,  paffed  in  flavour  of  it,  gives  New-England  the  title  of  kingdoro.f 
The  commiflioners  for  New-England,  fent  over  by  King  Charles  II. 
affert  in  their  narrative,  J  that  the  colony  folicited  Cromwell  to  be  de-* 
Glared  a  free  ftate,  which  is  not  unlikely « 

It  has  been  already  mentioned,  that  all  the  perfons  paffing  over 
to  the  MafTachufetts  did  not  confine  themfelvcs  to  that  colony. 

In  1635,  feveral  families  removed  to  Connecticut  river,  by  mu- 
tual agreement  with  their  fellow  emigrants  that  remained  behind. 
Plantations  were  formed  at  Hartford,  Windfor,  and  Weathersfield. 
The  inhabitants  being  foon  after  fully  fatisfied  that  they  were  out  of 
the  Maflachiifetts  limits,  and  of  courfe  jurifdi6lion,  entered  into  a 
combination  among  thcmfelves,  became  a  body  politic,  without  re- 
llraining  the  freedom  of  their  civil  government  to  the  memberfhip  of 
their  churches,  and  proceeded  to  the  choice  of  magiftrates  andreprc-^ 
fentatives.  By  the  articles  of  government,  it  was  determined  that 
there  fliould  be  annually  two  general  courts,  and  that  no  perfon 
Ihould  be  chofen  governor  more  than  once  in  two  years.  But  it  mufl 
be  obferved,  that  the  fame  year,  in  which  the  families  removed  from 
the  Maflachufetts,  Lords  Say  and  Brooke,  with  other  gentlemen, 
having  obtained  a  grant,  John  Winthi'op,  Elq.  was  appointed  gover- 
nor, took  pofTeflion  of  Connefliciit  river,  and  began  to  ei^ed  a  fort, 
which  he  called  Say-Brooke,  to  fecure  the  mouth  of  it.  He  was  fup^ 
plied  with  men,  provifions,  and  all  things  necefTary,  by  a  vellel  from 
England,  fent  by  the  grantees,  which  arrived  the  latter  end  of  No- 
vember* Some  of  the  gi^ntees  had  in  contemplation  the  tranfport- 
ing  themfelves,  families,  and  efTejTrs,  to  the  territory  they  had  ob-* 
tained ;  but  the  defign  of  emigrating  was  laid  afide,  when  matters 
began  to  take  a  new  turn  in  their  native  country^  and  at  length  the 
agent,  Mr.  Fenwick,  was  authorized  to  difpofe  of  their  lands,  which 
were  purchafed  by  the  people  who  had  removed  frooi  the  Mafla- 
chufetts. 

Two  large  fhips  arrived  at  the  Maflachufetts  Bay  in  1637,  with 
paflTengers  from  London.  Great  pains  were  taken  to  prevail  upon 
them  to  remain  in  the  colony ;  but  they  hoped  by  removing  to  a  con- 
fiderable  diftance,  to  be  out  of  the  reach  of  a  general  governor,  with 

^  Hutchinfon's  Hiftory>  vol.  II.  p.  2  and  3. 

•[•  lb.  vol.  L  p.  115. 

%  Hutchlafbn's'^llc^iofty  p.  ^zck, 

whom 


OT    NEW-ENGLAND.  ^S 

Whom  the  country  was  then  threatened.     They  fent  to  their  friends 
in  Conneflicut  to  purchafe  of  the  natives  the  lands  lying  between 
them  and  Hudfon's  river.     They  laid  the  foundation  of  a  flourilh- 
ing  colony,  of  which  New-Haven  was  the  capital.   They,  as  Con- 
necticut, formed  a  government,  much  like  the  Maflachufetts,  by  a 
voluntary  agreement,  without  an^  charter,  or  commiffion,  or  autho- 
rity whatfoever,  from  the  crown  or  other  powers  in  England.     They 
admitted  no  one  to  any  office,  civil  or  military,  or  to  h^ve  a  voice  in 
any  eledion,  except  he  was  a  member  of  one  of  the  churches  in  NeWt 
England,     They  had  no  jury,  either  in  civil  or  criminal  cafes. 

Connecticut  and  New-Haven  continued  two  diftind  colonies  for 
many  years.     At  length  the  general  court  of  Connecticut  determined 
to  prefer  an  addrefs  and  petition  to  Charles  II.  profeffing  their  fub? 
je£tion  and  loyalty  to  his  Majefly,  and  foliciting  a  royal  charter, 
and  John  Winthrop,  Efq.  who  had  been  chofcn  governor,  was  ap- 
pointed to  negociate  the  affair  with  the  king.     He  fucceeded,  and  a* 
royal  charter  was  obtained,  April  23,  1662,  conftitutihg  the  two 
colonies  for  ever  one  body  corporate  and  politic.     New-Haven  took 
the  affkir  ill,  and  for  fome  time  declined  the  union.      But  diffi- 
culries  were  amicably  fettled  at  laft,  and  the  colonies  united  by 
agreement. 

The  royal  charter  eftablifhed  a  kind  of  democracy  ;  every  power, 
as  well  deliberate  as  aCtivc,  was  invefted  in  the  freemen  of  the  cor» 
poration  of  their  delegates,  and  the  colony  was  under  no  obligation 
to  communicate  the  aCts  of  their  local  legiflature  to  the  king.  It  was 
the  fame  as  to  the  royal  charter,  granted,  the  next  yeartoRhode- 
IQand  and  Providence  Plantations. 

Thus  the  peopling  of  thefe  colonies  was  owing  chiefly  to  the  Pu- 
rfcm  Miniflers,  who,  being  filenced  at  home,  repaired  to  New* 
England,  that  they  might  enjoy  liberty  of  confcience,  and  drew 
after  then)  yaft  numbers  of  their  friends  and  favourers.  They 
amounted  to  fev.enty-feven  before  1641,  and  though  all  were  not 
perfons  of  the  greateft  learning  and  abilities,  they  h^d  a  bptter  fliare 
of  each  than  moft  of  their  neighbouring  clergy  at  that  period,  and 
were  men  of  eminent  fobriety  and  virtue,  plain,  ferious,  affec- 
tionate preachers,  exa6tly  conformable  to  the  doctrines  ot  the 
Church  of  England,  and  laboured  much  to  promote  a  reformation  of 
manners  in  their  ftveral  pariflies^  Many  planters,  who  accompa- 
nied or  followed  them,  were  gentlemen  of  confiderable  fortunes, 
and  of  no  mean  education,  who  Ipent  their  cflatcJ  in  New-England, 

F  2  »^d 


36  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

and  were  at  the  charge  of  carrying  over  many  poor  ferrilies,  that 
were  not  able  of  themfelves  to  bear  the  ex  pence.*     The  body  oJF* 
laity  and  clergy,  coUcdively  confidcred,  furniflies  fuch  a  glorious  con-- 
flellation  of  charafters,  as  would  employ  the  pen  of  a  firft-rate  writer* 
t9  do  them  juftice,  nqtwithftanding  what  has  been  above  remarked  o^ 
their  governmental  miflakes, 

.  The  dangers  to  which  the  New^Englaild  colonies  were  early  ex — 
pofed,  induced  them  to  think  of  confederating  for  their  niutuaH 
fafety.  Articles  were  drawn  up  in  1638,  but  they  were  not  finifhec& 
and  ratified  till  the  fcventh  of  September,  1643,  from  which  time  w^^ 
^e  to  look  upon  Plymouth,  Maflachufetts,  Conne<5licut,  and  New — 
Ij[aven,  as  one  body,  in  i*egard  to  all  public  tranfadtions  with  thei^^ 
lieighbours,  though  the  private  affairs  of  each  colony  were  ftill  ma— -^ 
I^^ged  by  their  own  courts  and  magiftrates. 

By  thefe  articles  of  confederation,  a  Congrefs  was  fo.rmed,  confifl^ngj^ 
of  two  conimiflioners  from  each  colony,  whp  were  chofen  annually, 
ajid  when  met,  were  confidered  as  the  reprefentativcs  of  "  The 
United  Colonies  of  Nevv-England.'*  The  powers  delegated  to  th^ 
commiffioners  were  much  the  fame  as  thofe  vefted  in  Congrefs  by 
the  articles  of  confederation,  agreed  upon  by  the  United  States  ii^ 
1778.  The  colony  of  Rhode-Ifland  would  gladly  have  joined  in  thi$. 
confederacy,  but  MalTachufctts  refuftd  to.  admit  their  commiffio^ers. 
This  union  fybfiflcd,  with  fome  few  alterations,  until  the  year  1686, 
vhen  all  the  charters,  except  that  of  Connecticut,  were,  in  effed*' 
vacated  by  a  commiffion  from  Jame§  II. 

W^  now  proceed  to  confider  the  fettlement  of  the  other  New* 
England  colonies. 

.  Mr.  Roger  Williams^  who  fucceeded  Mr.  Skelton  upon  his  de- 
ceafe,  as  pailor  of  the  church  at  Salem,  having  been  baniflicd  froni 
the  MafTachufetts,  repaired  with  twelve  companions  to  the  Narra- 
ganfet  couatry  in  1635,  and  had  land  given  him  by  the  Indian 
Sachem  Canonicus,  of  whom  he  afterwai'ds  purchafed  the  large 
trad,  lying  between  Pawtucket  and  Pawtuxet  rivers,  the  Great 
Falls  and  the  Little  Falls,  as  the  Indian  nao^es  fignify,  and  ftiled  it 
Provic'ence,  "  firpm  a  fenfe  of  God*s  merciful  Providence  to  him  in 
his  diftrefs."  .  The  authority  and  power  of  Miantonomy,  another 
Sachem,  and  his  uncle  Canonicus,  awed  all  the  Indians  round  to 
aifiil  him  and  his  few  aflbciates*.   When  the  determinations  of  the 

*  Ncal*s  Hiftory  of  New-England,  vol.  I.  p.  214  and  217. 

Mailk* 


pF    JJEW-ENGtAND.  37 

Maflachufctts  general  court,  occafioned  by  what  they  called  antino* 
raian  difputes,  banifliied  many,  and  indaccd  others  to  leave  the  co*. 
lonj,  the  heads  of  the  party  were  entertained  in  a  friendljr  manner 
by  Mr.  Williams,  who  advifed  them  to  fcek  a  fettlement  ou 
IRhodellland,  and  was  very  inftrumental  in  procuring  it  from  the  In- 
dian Sachems. 

They,  to  the  number  of  eighteen,  incorporated  thcmfelves,  and 
l)egan  fettling   the  ifland.      The  plantations  there  and  at  Provi- 
dence increafed  apace,  owing  to  the  liberal  fentiments  of  the  firft 
^ttlers;  and  in  1643,  Mr.  Williams  came  to  England  as  agent,  and 
obtained  an  abfolute  charter  of  incorporation  of  Providence  and 
Rhode-Ifland  plantations,  empowerbg  them  to  govern  themfelvcs 
by  that  form  they  might  voluntai'ily  agree  upon.     They  agreed 
upoa  a  democratic,     Mr.  Williams  juftly  claims  the  honour  of  hav- 
ing been  the  firft  legillator  in  the  world,  in  its  latter  ages,  who  ef» 
feftually  provided  for.  and  eftabliflied  a  free,  full,  and  abfolute  li- 
tey  of  confcience.     This  was  the  chief  caufe  that  united  the  inha- 
bitants of  Rhode-Ifland  and  thofe  of  Providence,  and  made  them, 
one  people,  and  one  colony.    The  foundation  principle  on  which 
this  colony  was  iirft  fettled,  was,  that  "  every  man  who  fubmits 
peaceably  to  the  civil  authority,  may  peaceably  worlliip  God  accor- 
ding to  the  dictates  of  his  own  confcience  without  moleftation."    And 
?^heii  the  colony  was  applied  to  in  1656,  by  the  four  United  Colo- 
nies, f«  to  join  them  jn  taking  effedual  methods  to  fupprefs  the 
Qijakers,  and  prevent  their  doctrines  being  propagated  in  the  coun- 
try ;'*  the  affembly  returned  for  anfwer,    "  We  fliall  flridly  adhere 
to  the  foundation  principle  on  which  this  colony  was  firft  fettled.'* 

In  July  8th,  1663,  Charles  II.  granted  an  ample  charter,  whereby 
^k  colony  was  made  a  body  corporate  and  politic,  by  the  name  of 
tat  Governor  and  Company  of  the  Englijh  Colony  of  Rhode- Ijland  and 
providence  Plantations  in  Nenv-England in  America,  The  charter  re  ' 
fcrved  only  allegiance  to  the  king,  without  the  imalleft  fliare  of  thd 
legillaLive  or  executive  powers.     .     ' 

hviv\t  o^  quo  ix)arranto  was  iffued  out  againft  the  colony,  which 
Was  brought  June  26,  16S6.  The  aflembly  determined  not  to  ftand 
fuit.  After  the  revolution,  they  were  allowed  by  government  to  re- 
fume  their  charter,  no  j  udgment  having  been  given  againft  it. 

New-Hampfli're  and  the  Main  were  fettled  about  the  fame  time 
with  the  MafTachufetts,  the » former  by  Captain  John  Mafon,  and 
itkQ  latter  by  Sir  p..  Gorges,  who  had  obtained  grants  of  land  from 

*  '  I  the 


^%  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

the  Plymouth  Council,  and  whofc  views  were  to  enrich  themfclvcj, 
by  the  fifhing  trade  at  fea,  and  the  beaver  trade  on  fliore.  Religion 
bad  little  concern  in  the  fettlements  ;  but  it  had  fome  in  the  planta- 
tion of  Exeter,  on  the  river  Pafcataqua,  which  was  began  by  Mr, 
Wheelwright,  a  minifler  banifhed  from  the  Maflachufetts,  on  ac- 
count of  the  antinomian  diflenfions  with  which  the  colony  was  con- 
vulfcd,and  by  a  number  of  his  adherents.  They  formed  themfelves  into 
a  body  politic.  Three  other  diftindl  governments  were  alfo  eftab- 
lifhed  on  the  branches  of  the  faid  river,  Thefe  governments  being 
altogether  voluntary,  had  no  fecurity  as  to  their  continuance  ;  and  the 
feveral  fettlers  were  too  divided  in  opinion  to  form  any  good  general  plan 
of  permanent  adminiftration.  Therefore  the  more  confiderate  among 
theni  treated  with  the  Maffachufetts  about  taking  them  under  its 
protc6tion,  which  fully  fuited  the  wiflies  of  that  colony,  as  it  af- 
forded the  heads  of  it  the  opportunity  of  realizing  the  conilr)i6tio;i 
they  had  put  upon  a  claufe  of  their  charter,  bjT  which  they  extended 
their  line  fo  as  to  comprehend  both  Ne^y-Hampflurc  and  theMain^. 
The  bufinefs  terminated  in  the  incorporation  of  the  two  colonies,  on 
condition  that  the  inhabitants  of  each  Ihould  enjoy  equal  privileges  t 
they  continued  Jong  united,  and  were  of  one  heart  and  mind  in  civil 
^nd  r^ligiqus  affairs.*  When  feparated  by  the  king's  commiffioa 
for  the  government  of  New-Hampfliire,  the  new  afTembly  at  their 
frfl.  meeting,  in  a  letter  of  Marqh  2 j,  1680,  to  the  governor  of  the 
Maffachufetts,  to  be  communicated  to  the  general  court,  expreffed 
their  full  fatisfadion  in  the  pad  connection,  a  grateful  fenfe  of  the 
care  that  had  been  exercifed  over  them,  a^d  of  their  having  been 
well  governed,  and  an  unfeigned  defire  that  a  rputual  correfpon- 
dence  betvveen  ihem  might  be  fettled. -j- 

The  towns  in  the  province  of  Maine,  after  a  time,  fell  into  a  ftate 
of  confufion.  The  Maffachufetts  took  that  opportunity  for  encou- 
raging the  difpolition  which  prevailed  in  many  of  the  inhabitants  to 
fubmit  to  their  jurifdi6lion ;  and  to  forward  their  compliance,  granted 
the  people  larger  privileges  than  were  enjoyed  by  their  own,  for  they 
M'ere  all  freemen  upon  taking  the  oath,  whereas  every  where  elfc  no 
one  could  be  made  free,  unlefs  he  was  a  church  member.  The  pro- 
vince was  made  a  county  by  the  name  of  Yorkfhire  ;  and  the  towns 
fent  reprefefitatives  to  the  general  court  at  Bofton,  Though  the  ma- 
jor part  of  the  inhabitants  were  brought  to  confentto  this  regulation,- 

*  Hutchinfon's  Iliftory,  voL  I.  p.  268.         f  Ibid.  p.  3^8. 

great 


OF    NEW-ENGLAN6*  ^0 

great  oppofition  was  made  by  fomc  principal  perfons,  who  fcvcrcly 
reproached  the  Maflachufetts,  for  ufing  force  in  order  to  reduce  the 
province  j  but  the  people  experienced  the  benefit  of  it,  and  were 
contented.  They  continued  in  union  with  the  Maflachufetts  until 
1665,  when  a  fhort  feparation  commenced  ;  after  which  they  were 
again  united. 

Having  thus  given  a  fketch  of  the  fettlement  o^  New-Eiigland,  and 
the  remainder  of  its  hiftory  being  connected  #ith  that  of  the  general 
confederacy,  we  fliall  proceed  to  give  a  concife  view  of  its  different 
States  as  they  now  fland,  attaching  to  each  a  narration  of  fuch  partK 
Gulars  as  are  not  interwoven  in  the  general  hiflory  of  the  union.  * 

*  If  the  reader  wifhes  to  obtain  a  more  exttfniive  knowledge  of  the  hiftory  of  New- 
tngland,  he  is  referred  to  Hutchlnfon*s  Hiftory  of  Maflachufetts — ^Hazard's  Hiftorical 
CoUe6lions>  4to.  2  vols. — Belknap's  Hiftory  of  New  Hampfhire — The  firft  letter  in 
Dr.  Gordon's  Hiftory  of  tht  American  Revolution — Governor  Winthrop's  Journal-^ 
Chalmer's  Political  Annals-^-and  Gookins'  Hiftorical  CglleAions  of  the  Indians  in 
Kew-Englandy  pubii/hed  in  Bofton  by  the  Hiftorical  Society,  in  the  Amerlcaa 
Apollo,   i79i» 


STATE 


(     40     ) 


STATE    OF 


V     E     R     M     O     N     l'^ 


SITUATION,  EXTENT,  &c; 

X  HIS  State  is  fituated  between  42°  44' and  45°  N.  latitude,  and  i^ 
;35' and  3°  30' E.  longitude  from  Philadelphia  i  its  length  is  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  miles^  and  its  breadth  about  feventy :  it  is 
.bounded  on  the  north  by  Lower-Canada,  eaft  by  Gonnedicut  river^ 
♦which  ^divides  it  from  New-Hampfliire,  foutfa  by  Maflachttfett«,' 
and  weft  by  New- York ;  the  Green  Mountain  runs  from  fouth  by- 
north  through  it,  and  divides  the  State  nearly  in  the  middle. 

This  tradt  of  country,  called  Vermont,  before  th^  late  war,  was 
tlaimed  both  by  New- York  andNew-Hampfliire;  and  thefq  interfering 
daims  have  been  the  Occafion  of  much  warm  altercation,  the  parti- 
culars of  which  it  would  be  neither  entertaining  nor  ufeful  to  detail; 
Thcfe  claims  were  not  finally  adjufted  till  fince  the  peace.  On  the 
commencement  of  hoftilities  between  Great  Britain  and  her  colonies, 
the  inhabitants  of  this  diftri6t,  cohfidering  themfelves  as  in  a  ftate 
of  nature,  and  not  within  the  jurifdi6lion  either  of  New- York  ot  '^ 
New-Hampfhire,  aflbciated  and  formed  for  themfelves  a  tonftitution^ 
tinder  which  they  have  continueB  to  exerdfe  all  the  powers  of  ^ti 
independent  ftate,  and  have  profpered.  On  the  4th  of  March,  1791; 
agreeably  to  a6l  of  Congrefs  of  December  6th,  1790,  this  State  be- 
came  one  of  the  United  States,  and  conftitutes  the  fourteenth,  an^ 
Bot  the  leaft  refpedable  pillar  in  the  American  Union. 

AIR    AND    CLIMATE, 

The  climate  of  this  State  is  in  a  very  cohlidcrable  degree  favoura- 
ble both  to  man  and  vegetation.  The  winter  feafon  commonly  lafti 
from  the  beginning  of  November  to  the  middle  6f  April,  during 
which  the  inhabitants  enjoy  a  ferene  (ky  and  a  keen  cold  air.  Snow- 
begins  to  fall,  commonly,  by  the  ift  of  November  5  but  the  perma-. 
nent  fnows  do  not  fall  till  about  the  loth  of  December,  which  pre- 
tend 


GfiNtRAt    DESCRIl?TiON,  &C.  4I 

A^etit  the  ground  freezing  to  any  confiderablo  depth.— In  April  the 
Inow  is  gradully  diflblved  by  the  warm  influences  of  the  fun,  which 
moiftens  and  enriches  the  earth,  and  vegetation  advances  with  fur* 

prifing  rapidity. 

FACE  OF  THE  COUNTRY. 

This  Stale,  generally  fpeaking,  is  hilly,  but  not  rocky;  northward 
to  the  Canada  fine  it  is  flat :  the  country  at  large  is  well  waterc«}^ 
having  Michifcoui,  Lamoille,  Onion,  and  Otter  Creek  rivers,  whic)i  . 
tun  acrofs  it  from  eaft  to  weft  into  Lake  Champlain ;  Weft,  Sextpn*s^ 
Blackj  Waterqucchce,  WWtc,  Ornpompanoofuck,  Weld's,  Walt's, 
faffuinfick,  and  fevcral  fmallcr  rjvers,  which  run  from  weft  to  eaft 
into  Connedicut  river.  Over  the  river  Lamoille  is  a  natural  flon# 
bridge,  feven  or  eight  rods  in  length.  Otter  Creek  is  navigable  for 
boats  fifty  miles ;  the  banks  of  this  rivtr  ate  excellent  land^  being 
tnnuaily  overflowed  and  enriched.  White  river  takes  its  name  fronoL ' 
^  peculiar  whitenefs  of  its  Water,  caufed  by  the  clear  white  fione$ 
and  grafll  Which  conititute  the  bed  of  this  river  quite  t^  its  fourde* 
This  peculiarity  deceives  people  in  regard  to  its  depth.  It  rifes  in 
the  center  of  the  flate^  flows  through  a  rich  trad  of  country  free 
^  ft^amps^  and  empties  into  the  Conpeftictit  four  milf^  below 
Dartmouth  College,  and  is  from  one  hundrpd  to  one  hundred  and 
€fty  yards  wide,  fdme  diflance  from  its  month.  Ompomptnoofuclt 
**  a  fhort,' furious  river,  not  more  than  forigr  or  fifty  yards  widij* 
*niptying  info  the  Conxie6licut  at  Norwich*  Weld's  is. alio  a  fliort 
*D<1  rapid  river^  forty  yards  acrofs.  PafTumfick  it  oiie  hundred  yarcb 
^^i  and  noted  for  the  quantity  and  quality  of  the  falmon  it  pro- 
^ccst  on  this  river,  which  is  fettled  twenty  miles  up,  are  fome  of 
^hdk  townflilps  in  the  State* 

Lakes  Memphremagog^  Willotlghby  |ind  Bomba2on,  aref  dfp 
^n  this  State*  The  former  is  the  refcrvoir  of  three  confiderablc 
toamsj  Blacky  Bib-ton,  and  Clyde  rivers*  One  of  thefe  rifes  in 
^ilioughby  lake^  and  forms  a  communication  between  that  and 
^ke  St.  Pctcr*8j  in  the  river  St*  Lawrence  j  ifluing  from  Wil- 
loughby's  lakci  it  empties  into  Memphremagog,  and  thence,  by 
the  name  of  St*  Francis,  empties  into  the  8t.  Peter.  This  river  is 
'lot  all  the  way  navigable,  othemtufe  it  would  afford  a  communica* 
tion  of  very  great  importance  to  the  northern  part  of  this  State,  as 
tbe  fettjers  might  traniport  their  produce  with  great  eafe  to  Mon* 
V0L.H.  O  ucal 


4^  GENERAtDESCRlPTIOK 

trcal  or  Qmc^^c.  Willoughby*s  lake  ftirnifhcf  fifli  rcfcmblirtg  iafty 
of  an  excellent  flavour,  wcigliing  from  ten  to  thirty  pounds.  Tbty 
form  a  moft  dcHcioui  feafi  for  the  new  fettlen :  people  travel  twenty 
miles  to  this  lake  to  procure  a  winter's  llock  of  this  fifli.  Lake 
Bombazon,  in  the  county  of  Rutland,  gives  rife  to  a  branch  of 
Poultney  River. 

Belides  thefc  rivers  and  lakes  there  are  feveral  other  fprihgs,  ponds^ 

■and  other  collections  of  water,  which  arej  in  general,  remarkably 

clear,  and  afford  abundance  of  trout,  perch,  and  other  frelh  water  fifh* 

The  principal  mountain  in  this  Stats  is  the  one  we  have  already 

tncntioned,  which  divides  the  State  nearlv  in  the  center,  beti^reen 

-Conne^icut  river  and  lake  Gbamplain.  Tlie  afccnt  from  the  caft  to 
the  top  of  this  mourttain  is  much  eaiief  than  from  the  weft,  till  you 
get  to  Onion  river,  where  the  mountain  ternnnates^  The  height  o^ 
land  is  generally  from  twenty  to  thirty  miles  from  the  river^  and 
about  the  fame  diftance  from  the  New-York  line.    The  natural 

'growth  upon  this  mountain  is  hemlock,  pine,  fpruce,  and  other 
evergreeni ;  hence  it  has  always  a  green  appearance,  and  on  this  ac- 

'toimt  has  obtained  the  defcriptive  name  of  Ver  Mons,  or  Green 
-  -"Mountain.     On  foine  high  parts  of  this  mountain  fnow  lies  till  May, 

'  and  foifietimes  {ill  June. .  This  chain  of  mountains  paffes  through 
MaiTaclnifetts  and  Connedticnt;  and  terminates  in  New-Haven. 

•"    Anothtit  noted  iix>untain  in  thig  State  is  Afchutneyj  bordering  on 

'tJbrtntiticut  river,  iri  the  townfliips  of  Windfor  and  Weathersfield, 
arid  Upper  Great  Monadnock,  quite  in  the  north-eaft  comer  of  the 

"Srate. 

It  is  remarkable,  that  the  hills  and  nrountains  are  generally  co- 
vered on  the  eaft  (ides  with  what  is  called  hard  wood,  fuch  as  birch, 
beech,  mnple,  afli,  elm,  and  butternut;  and  the  well:  fide  is  geno^ 
rally  covered  whh  cvergrtcAs* 

SOIL,  PRODUCTIONS,  ic* 

The  fuil  of  Vermont  affords  the  beft  of  pafliirage ;  fome  of  thfc 
iineft  bctf  cattle  in  the  world  arc  driven  trom  this  State ;  horfes  alfo 
are  raifed  for  exportation.  The  natural  growth  upon  the  rivers  ]» 
"white  pines  of  ieveral  kindS)  intermingled  with  low  intervales  of 
beech,  elm,  and  white  oak.  Back  from  the  rivers  the  land  is  thickly- 
timbered  with  birch,  lugar  maple,  aih,  butternut,  and  vchite  oak 
of  an  excellent  quality :  a  great  part  is  well  adapted  for  tillage,  and 
>Iie  foil  is  natural  for  wheat,   rjifc,   barley,  oats,  flax,  Jiemp,  &c. 

»  ,  '  Indiaa 


OF    VERMONT.  43 

IfKliaflcorn,  back  from  the  river,  is  frequently  injured  by  the  froft  ; 
but  on  the  river  it  is  raifed  in  as  gr^at  perfoftion  aa  in  any  part  of 
New*£ngltnd,  owing  in  a  great  meafure  to  the  fogs  arifing  from  the 
river,  which  either  prevent  or  extract  the  froft :  thefe  fogj  licgin  as 
foon  ai  the  corn  is  in  danger  from  froib,  and  laft  till  mild  weather 
commences.  Fruit  trees,  in  the  northern  counties  of  this  State,  da 
Bot  profpcr, 

CIVIL  DIVISIONS,  &c. 

This  State  is  divided  into  fcven  counties,  viz.  Addisox,  Bex- 
wiNGTOM,  Chittekpon,  Rutland,  O&ance,  WiNDsot,  and 
Windham  ;  the  four  firft  of  thefe  arc  on  the  weft  fide  of  the  Gr.en 
Msiwtain,  and  the  three  latter  on  the  eaft. 

Thefe  counties  are  divided  into  upwards  ot  two  hundred  town* 
&ipS)  which  are  generally  (ix  miles  iquare  ;  in  every  townOiip  is  ^ 
wfenrc  of  two  rights  of  land,  of  three  hundred  a«d  fifty  acres 
tich,  one  to  be  appropriated  for  thq  fupport  of  public  fchools,  the 
<^  to  be  giv«n  in  fee  to.  the  firft  minifter  who  fettles  in  tlie 
^Ihip,  A  part  of  the  townfiiips  was  granted  by  tbe  govern- 
fittt  of  Ncw-Hamp4iire,  and  the  other  by  that  of  Vermont.  In 
^e  townfliips  granted  by  the  former,  a  tight  of  land  is  referved 
fcr  the  fupport  of  the  gofpel  in  foreign  parts  ;  in  tjiofe  granted  by 
*^  latter,  a  college  right,  and  a.  right  for  the  fupport  gf  county 
S^^mmar  fchools,  are  referved :  in  thefe  refervations  liberal  provi- 
^  is  made  for  the  fupport  of  the  gpfpel,  ^d  fpr  the  propi9tioi| 
tf  common  and  collegiate  educatipn^ 

CHIEF  TOWNS  AND  CPRIOSITIES, 

■  ha  new  and  interior  countr)%  large,  populous  towns. ore  not  to  be 
*Wed,  Bennington,  fituated  near  the  S.W.  corner  of  the  State,  is  on« 
/« the  largeft ;  it  contains  a  number  of  hnndfome  houfes,  a  congrega- 
^*^al  church,  a  court  houfe  and  gaoL  A  famous  battle  was  fought  in 
^f  near  this  town,  during  tbe  l^te  war  in  i777t  between  Brigadiefr 
§^^l  Starke,  at  the  head  of  eight  hundred- ui^difcipliped  militin, 
*^  a  detachment  of  General  Burgoyne*s  army,  oomtiianded  by 
^^^^^OQel  Baum  :  in  this  adion,  and  the  one  th^t  fucceeded  it,  in  the 
^^6  place,  and  on  the  fame  day,  het^veeq  a  rpi^forcemept  of  th^ 
^r^tiih^  under  Colonel  Breymen,  and  General  Starl^e,  who  was  re 
enforced  by  Colonel  Warner,  with  a  continents^  regiment,  were 
t^fen  four  brafs  field  pieces,  and  other  military  ftorcs,  and  fcvea 
tt^pdrcd  piibners*  The  overthrow  of  thefe  d$tac)iroe|its  wai  the  firf( 

Q^  linlc 


44*  GENERAL    DESCRIPTJON' 

link  in  a*  grand  chain  of  caufoiy  w^faich  finally  proved  .the  roiir  ( 
the  royal  army.  This  is  one  of  the  oideft  towns  in  the  State,^  bein 
firft  fettled  about  the  year  1764,  and  vva§  till  lately  the  feat  of  gc 
vernmcnt. 

Windfor  and  Rutland,  by  a  late  a<ft  of  the  legiflature,  arc  altei 
Jiately  to  be  the  feat  of  government  for  eight  years.  The  former  : 
fituatcd  on  ConneiEticut  river ;  the  latter  lies  upon  Otter  Creet 
both  are  flouriftMng .  towns,  Guilford,  Brat^elborough,  Putnc; 
Weftmihftcr,  Weathersfield,  Hartland,  Norwich,  and  Newbury,  a 
cohfiderable  towns,  lying  from  fouth  to  north,  on  Connedicut  rive 
Newbury  is  the  fliire  town  of  Orange  county,  which  comprehend 
about  three-eighths  of  the  whole  State  ;♦  it  has  a  court-houfc,  and 
very  elegant  meeting-houfe  for  Congregationalifts,  with  a  fleep/« 
the  iirft  ere6ted  in  the  State*  Newbury  court-lioufe  flands  on  ti« 
high  lands  back  from  the  river,  and  commands  a  fine  view  of  vihm 
38  called  the  groat  Ox  Bow,  which  is  formed  by  a  curious  bend  in  tb» 
river ;  it  is 'one  of  the  moft  beautiful  and  fertile  meadows  in  New- 
England  ;  the  circumference  of  this  bow  is  about  four  miles  and  ai 
half;  its  greateft  depth  is  (even-eighths  of  a  mile,  containing  abou( 
four  hundred  and  fifty  acres :  at  the  fealon  svhen  nature  is  dreifed  vek 
her  green  attire,  a  vi^w  of  this  meadow  from  the  high  lands  is  truly 
luxuriant. 

Shaftfbury,  Pownal,  Manchefier,  Clarendon,  Poiiltney,  Pawler, 
Danby,  and  Charlotte,  are  confiderable  and  flourifhing  towns,  well 
6f  the  mountain.  In.  the  town  of  Orwell  is  Mount  Independence, 
^t  fhe  fouthern  extremity  of  lake  Champlain,  oppofite  to  which  is 
Ticonderoga',  in  the  State  pf  NewrYork. 

There  is  ^  vtry  remarkable  ledge  of  rocks  in  the  town  of  Brad- 
ford, in  the  county  of  Orange ;  it  Jies  on  the  Weil  ba^nk  of  Con* 
nedticut  river,  and  is  as  much  as  200  feet  high ;  it  appears  to  hang 
oyer  and  threaten  the  traveller  as  he  paiTes :  the  fpace  between  this 
ledge  and  the  river  is  fcarccly  wide  enough  for  a  road. 

In  the  townfliip  of  Tinmouth,  on  the  fide  of  a  fm^U  hill,  is  a 
very  curious  cave ;  the  chafm  at  its  entrance  is  about  four  feet  iq 
fCircumference  :  entering  this  you  defccnd  one  hundred  and  four  i^t^x^ 
find  thea  opens  a  fpacious  room,  twenty  feet  in  breadth,  and  one 

*  General  Baylcy  aud  Colonel  Thoraas  Johnfon  entcrprifed  the  firft  fettlemcnts  into 
jtbis  part  of  the  country,  about  the  year  ^762.  At  this  period  there  was  no  road  ndf 
^umaa  inhabitant  for  fcventy  miles  down  the  r|vcr,  npr  for  a^  many  miles  eaftward — 
^  is  now  pilcklj'  ifthablted  by  thriving  farmers. 


OF    VERMONT.  4.5 

Cranditd  feet  in  length;  the  angle  of  defcent  is  about  45  degrees. 
I^tie  roof  of  this  cavern  is  of  rock,  through  which  the  water  is  coq« 
cinuaily  percolating.    The  ilala&ites  which  hang  from  the  roof  ap^ 
{>ear  like  icicles  on  the  eves  of  houfes,  and  are  continually  increafing 
in  number  and  magnitude.    The  bottom  and  fides  are  daily  incruft- 
ing  with  fpar  and  other  mineral  fubdances.    On -the  fides  of  this 
Subterraneous  hall  are  tables,  chairs,  benches,  &c.  which  appear  tQ 
liave  been  artificially  carved.    This  richly  ornamented  room,  whea 
illuminated  with  the  candles  of  the  guides,  has  an  enchanting  efiteA 
Upon  the  eye  of  jthc  fpcdiator.   The  gei^eral  caufe  of  thefc  aftonifli- 
ing  appearances,  we  conclude,  from  the  various  circumftanccs  ac* 
companying  them,  is  the  water  filtrating  ilowly  through  the  incum- 
bent Jirata ;  and  taking  up  in  its  paffage  a  variety  of  mineral  fub- 
Aances,  thus  becoming  faturated  with  oietallic  particles,  gradually 
^uding  on  the  fprface  of  the  caverns  and  fiflures,  in  a  quiefcent 
ftate,  the  aqueous  particles  evaporate,  and  leave  the  mineral  fub« 
ft^ces  to  unite  according  to  their  affinities. 

At  the  end  of  this  cave  is  a  circular  hole,  fifteen  feet  deep,  appa- 
'''ciitly  hewn  out  in  a  conical  form,  enlar^gii^g  gradually  as  you  de« 
fc^nd,  in  the  form  of  a  fugar  loaf;  at  the  bottom  is  a  fpringof 
frefli  water  in  continual  motion,  like  the  boiling  of  a  pot  ^  its  depth 
h3s  never  been  founded. . 

In  feme  |ow  lands  over  agalnft  the  gre^t  Ox  Bow,  a  remarkable 

iprmg  was  difcovered  about  twenty  years  fince  ;  it  dries  up  once  in 

two  or  three  yc^s,  and  burfts  out  in  another  place  ;  it  has  a  ib-ong 

fcell  of  fulphur,  and  throws  up  continually  a  peculiar  kind  of  white 

fold,  and  when  the  water  is  left  to  fettle,  a  thick  yellow  fcum  rifcs  oa 

« 

l^top. 

POPULATION. 

The  population  of  Vermont,  according  to  the  cenfus  taken  \m 
f)^  was  as  follows .: 


V» 


I 
ADDIU 


.1 


4*5  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

ADDISON    COUNTY. 


•o 

El 

■ 

— 

^' 

» .. 

1 

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1 

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£ 

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TOWNS. 

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1 

£K. 

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Addifon,    -     -     -     - 

loS 

ro^ 

186 

^ 

401 

Briftol,       -    -     .     - 

S3 

S7 

101 

2M 

Bndporr,   .     .     -     - 

113 

20^ 

449 

Cornwall,  -     -     .     ^ 

«'S 

3|g 

39.1 

826 

F<rrifourg,      -    -    - 

'37 

119 

a'3 

12 

48. 

Haocock,   ^     ,    -     . 

18 

»7 

S6 

Kingfton,  -     -     -     , 

26 

31 

4+ 

Leicefter,  .     -     -     . 

94 

81 

168 

343 

MWdkburj-,    .     ,     - 

laS 

91 

176 

1 

395 

Monkton,  -     -     -     . 

t34- 

194 

450 

New-Haven,  -     -     - 

Isi 

2*0 

^21 

7*3 

Paoton,       -     -     -     . 

57 

66 

97 

Shorcliam,       -     -     - 

a'.l 

167 

336 

S 

731 

Salifbmy,   .     .    .     - 

119 

109 

ziS 

446 

Verge  nncs,      ... 
WhFirng,    -     -    -    . 

?3 

35 

79 

14 

201 

70 

57 

350 

Wcj' bridge,     -     ,    - 

4.9 

41 

84 

I 

»7S 

.734 

Ib6r4 

19!^+  1  3' 

t>+49 

BENNINGT 

ON    C 

OUNTY, 

;trlington.       -     -     - 

251 

351 

487 

ii      991  1 

Bennington,     -     -     - 

630 

fco4 

1114. 

1! 

9      2377   1 

Brom]e)-,    -     -    -     - 

19 

7' 

Dorfer,       -     -     .     . 

240 

33  r 

487 

958 

Glaflonbury,  -     -     t 

6 

'7 

34 

I.angrove,         -     -     . 

7* 

4 

30 

3? 

Miinchefter,     -     -    - 

338 

333 

S95 

a 

3 

1276 

Pownal,      .     .     .     - 

419 

499 

»3S 

3 

1746 

ReecifttoroH|b,      -    - 

lb 

16 

3» 

6+ 

Rupert,      -     -     -     , 

a>i 

3SS 

494 

'033 

Sh-lifcurj-,     -    -    - 

49' 

530 

9/4 

1999 

Stamford,  -     -     -     - 

69 

'37 

I 

373 

Sunderland,     -    -    - 

"3 

.0? 

199 

414 

Ssndgaie,    -     -     -     - 

,98 

lag 

366 

773 

Woodtbrd,      -     -    - 

16 

18 

36 

60 

Windhall,        -    -     - 

39 

46 

69 

I 

'SS 

3"4       3^M 

589^     so 

76 

„'"54 

OF    VERMONT. 
CHITTENDEN    COUNTY. 


♦7 


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Btirlingion,      .   .    .    . 

laS 

=  S' 

3 

33» 

Buhon, 

26 

41 

88 

BakersJieM,     .   .   .   . 

4 

4 

s 

«3 

Charlotte, 

189 

u» 

301 

3 

635 

Cambridge,     .   .   .  . 

loS 

84 

167 

3S9 

Cambi-ldgc-gore,    .   . 

.1 

6 

6 

•5 

Colchcftcr, 

4» 

40 

£> 

•37 

Duxbury, 

9 

18 

3<) 

lilmore 

7 

4 

11 

Eflex,      ....... 

tilj 

76 

160 

354 

Fairfax, 

85 

61 

108 

>54 

Fairfield, 

46 

a8 

Si 

129 

Fletcher 

'3 

'4 

47 

Georgia, 

Hiiielburg 

8j 

"5; 

340 

117 

115 

45+ 

Highgate, 

36 

"  3' 

4S 

I 

103 

Huntlburg,      .   .    .    . 

46 

HydefpaiW,     .   .   .   . 

10 

-  Is 

la 

5 

43 

Hungcrford 

16 

S 

ji 

s 

40 

Ifle-Moit,    .    .    .   .    . 

18 

M 

16 

47 

Jerico,     .....'. 

I'S 

90 

1 70 

38' 

Jobiiibn,      

MUton,    ...... 

3' 

16 

4& 

93 

go 

t; 

127 

282 

Middlefex 

16 

'9 

2S 

60 

Moretowu 

10 

6 

11 

"4 

JWinden, 

6 

6 

6 

18 

Morriftoivn 

6 

4 

Ncw-Huntingtbn,  .   . 

34 

40 

6i 

,36 

New-Huiitiiigtoii-gore 

10 

7 

1  + 

3' 

North-Hero,   .    .    .    . 

40 

>S 

57 

3 

i»S 

Sbelbunie, 

loS 

103 

178 

389 

South-Hero,   .  .   . 

164 

128 

a-lS 

fj? 

St.Aiban'^    .   .   . 

89 

61 

lOj 

1 

.56 

Swanton,     .... 

za 

»S 

27 

74 

Stnitbfielcl,  .... 

98 

'4 

23 

70 

St.  George,      .   .   . 

14 

'7 

ab 

57 

Starldbonrngh,    .   . 

;i 

6 

'9 

40 

Underhill 

"3 

3+ 

<:     6S 

Wateiburjr,     ,   .^  . 

21 

'7 

44 

^3 

4S 


OENfillAt    DESCRIPTION 
CHITTENDEN  COUNTY,  CONTINUED 


WilliRon. 
Weftford, 
Wairsfieid, 
Wokott, 


■»5f  I     '764 


ORANGE     COUNTY, 


Binit;!,     .  .  . 

Berliii,.    .  ,  . 

iiratftbrdj  .  . 

Braintrec,  .  . 

fii'otikKcld,  .  . 

Brnnlwick,  .  . 

Cabot,      .  .  . 
Calnis,  .... 

Canaan;  .  .  .' 

ChelfM,  .  .  . 

Concord,  .  . 

Corinib,  .  .  . 

Dahvilte.  .  . 
Deney'B-Gore, 

Green iborougb,  . 
Oraton,  ... 
GuiMKall,  .  .  . 
Hardwich,  .  .  , 
Lemingtiin,  .  , 
Liti. 


■3Z 

"3» 

207 

•s 

38 

33 

b3 

'34 

159 

176 

3'* 

1 

6S4 

61 

«0 

4 

■;? 

'S 

^S 

66 

33 

37 

s» 

133 

1  + 

iJ 

20 

45 

4 

5 

10 

'9 

77 

100 

»39 

'9 

49 

147 

1,0 

375 

578 

130 

270 

12 

ifi 

4« 

132 

120 

210 

1 

465 

■9 

4 

»9 

"5 

9 

21 

41 

55 

+' 

3 

3 

7 

3' 

J4 

33 

63 

3° 

29 

119 

29 

20 

3+ 

3" 

SS 

::i 

55 

19 

44 

a2; 

423 

4«3 

ja 

873 

40 

102 

90 

'73 

3'! 

'37 

4»9 

89^ 

6 

46 

54 

«7 

T87 

OF   TEHMONT. 
ORANGE  COUNTY,  CONTINDED. 


49 


- 

1 

, 

TOWNS. 

il 

1^ 

1 

J 

li 

Ml 

1 

1 

ll 

1? 

1 

< 

5       ^ 

Strafford,     .... 

328 

84s 

H3 

St.Johnfcunr,     .    . 

S4 

3+ 

1 
1 

'hetford,    .... 

'.          '^6 

■47 

4:9 
70 
219 

'4 

85a 
161 

""onfliam 

\  Tunbridgc,     .    .   . 

4B7 

AVerfliire,     .... 

117 

lie 

ao4 

439 

b 

Valden, 

3 
9 

3 

9 

S 
'4 

3» 

WaUen's-Gore, .   . 

IWafliington,    .    ■  . 

t6 

'3 

33 

7» 

Whcelock,  .... 

33 
146 

Wlliamftown,    .    . 

41 

34 

71 

■ffMerfburgh,     .   . 

30 

,6 

■*o 

76 

4874 

2768 

+846 

"471' 

1  '°S'9 

RUTLANE 

COUNTV;. 

btofan,    

jB,- 

.82 

ago 

, 

658 

Jnadon,     . 

15+ 

168 

3H 

1 

637 

Callleton,    . 

ao9 

ai7 

373 

800 

Clarenden,  . 

3+3 

397 

73« 

1478 

Chitenden, 

49 

72 

159 

D>abv,    .    . 

4?6 

333 

589 

8 

iao6 

^r-Haven, 

174 

a  JO 

545 

febberton. 

120 

94 

lyo 

404 

ftmich,     . 

33 

49 

.     78 

.6s 

p.     ■   ■   ■ 

77 

81 

'S3 

31a 

KOlinglOD,  . 

10 

32 

Midwsj-, .   . 

7 

9 

18 

34 

Middletown, 

.6, 

.71 

3!« 

699 

0».ll,    .   . 

lis 

.fS 

341 

+ 

778 

PMdd,    . 

'■$ 

■4 

49 

PlUidtlphij, 

9 

18 

39 

tojlmejT,    . 

•89 

«93 

539 

7 

Jirtiford,     . : 

aig 

>o8 

442 

e^o  , 

Pnln,    .  . 

3*8 

399 

7<:9 

a 

■453 

btland,      . 

393 

349 

665 

2 

1407 

Sbrewibori-, 

1S3 

III 

Sudijury,  '  • 

6° 

% 

ritunoutb, . 

"h; 

«44 

44' 

* 

m 

JO 


GENERAL   DESCKirTIOH 
RUTLAND  COUNTY,  CONTINUED. 


TOWNS. 

it 

1 
li 

1 

1 

1 

1 
1 

1 

Wallingford,    .    .    . 
WdU 

HO 

131 

.76 

262 

" 

39S6 

4092 1  7456 

3" 

1 

WINDSOR    COUNTY. 

Andover, 
Barnard, . 
Bethel,     . 
Bridgwater, 

Cavendifli, 

Chefter,  . 

Hartford, 

Hiirtland, 

Ludlo«-,  . 

Norwich, 

Pomfret,  . 

Readmg, 

Rodiefter, 

Koyakoo, 

Saltadi,    . 

Sharon,    . 

Springfield, 

WeathersRe 

Wmdfor, 

Stock  n  ridge 

Woodftock, 

d,'  ."  '. 

7S 
"77 
12b 

68 
116 

:   tl 

•        4'S 
44 
280 
'77 

:  'i: 

■  ")i 

:    Itl 

■  39! 

3» 
188 

78 

"S 
ass 
ISO 

44a 

S6 

32a 

101) 

an 

47 
150 
3! 

1' 

416 

126 

3*9 
229 

'47 
■  »4.o 

i 
79 

ss' 

3 '9 

363 

4* 

(■6 
560 
73» 

4 
6 

1 

3 
7 
9 

4 

4003 

4'S7 

7jt3 

4? 

1 

WINDHAM    COUNTY. 

.        133 

:   III 
:   ?S 

7' 

,3a 
4.^6 
394 
646 
34a 
142 
66 

7S8 
734 
■  187 
661 

ia6 

1' 

- 

Braicleboroagh,  t   . 
Dnmmerftofi,      .   . 
Guildford,  .    .    -   . 

HaHitkx, 
HiwUdale, 

OF    VERMONT. 
fflNDHAM  COUNTY,  CONtlNUED. 


TOWNS. 

II 
"'I 

1 

1 

ii 

1 
1 

1 

1 

i 

s 

Johnfon's-Gorc,     .    . 
Loarfonderry,      .    .    . 
Marlborough,      .    .    . 

■s 

V 
'49 
■  63 
438 

a? 
■43 
19. 

128 

!» 
4JO 

11+ 
i8o 

'3 
.?^ 

49* 
3'9 
3! 

■"s 

6, 

387 
i'9 
,38 

171 
304 

587 
46 

"S3 
3'3 

;ii 
309 

3 

49 

610 
660 

18+8 
"35 

?^ 
S6i 

676 

483 
270 
1601 

J4« 

Puttiej-, 

wdt'""::::: 

Thomlinfon,   .... 
Tonnfliend,    .... 
Wgrdfboro'  north  dift. 
Wirdfooro'  Couth  dift. 
Wellmhifter,    .... 
Wbittingham,     .    .    . 
Wilmington,  .... 

44.8  1     46,. 

8!4! 

58 

SUMMARY  OF    POPULATION. 

Addifon  County, 
Btnnington  do.  . 
Chittenden  do.    . 

lilt 

.874 

3,86 
4003 
44.8 

1664 
4092 

467. 

2,64 
5893 

4846 

-4S' 
?S43 
8!4,- 

i 

16 

6449 
1H54 

7301 
10529 

.S74§ 
17693 

ITmdham  do.     . 

.J43;  1  j.3.8  1  40S0S 

.» 

16 

8S539 

'  TtuB  pc^ulatioit  u  now,  no  doubr,  increafed,  but,  as  no  returns 
^  fijtce  been  made,  it  is  impoi&ble  to  Itate  the  increafe  with  any 
loaacf  •  but  we  cannot  deviate  far  from  truth  in  iiating  the  prefent 
■mba  of  male  inhabitants  above  Cxteen  yean  of  age,  ac  about 
tvnty.three  thou&nd,  tbofe  under  at  nearly  the  lame,  and  the  total 
Motber  of  females  at  fiirty-two  thoufand  :  this  calculation  poflefIeS( 
Vtlaft,  the  merit  of  not  over-rating  the  numbers,  and  is  warranted 
^7  tbe  scmuDt  which  Mr.  Belluap  has  given  of  the  population  of 
H  •  sneighp 


5*  GENERAL    D^E SCRIPT  10 IT 

a  neighbouring  State.    As  a  proof  that  the  populatioa  of  tilis  StMtB 
has  rapidly  increafed,  we  may  obfcrve,  that  the  town  of  Danville, 
which,  according  to  the  preceding  account,  contained  in  1790,  five 
liundred  and  feventy-four  inhabitants,  was  five  years  before  a  wil*  - 
cleinefs  without  a  (ingle  family, 

RELIGION,  CHARACTER,  &c. 

The  principal  body,  of  the  people  are  Congregationalifts  and  Bap* 
tifts ;  the  other  denominations  are  Prcfbyterians  and  Epifcopalians  ; 
their  character  and  manners,  as  might  be  expefted,  various,  beifig  an 
aifemblage  of  people  from  various  places,   of  different' fentin;ieiitt 
^nd  habitsi  who  have  not  lived  together  long  eilough  to  affimilato 
and  form  a  genera]  charafter;  aflfemble  together  /a  in/flginattQn^  % 
number  of  individuals  of  different  nations— -con fider  them  as  living  * 
together  amicably,  and  af&fting  each  other  through  the  toils  and  dif* 
liculties  of  life  j  and  yet  rigoroufly  oppofcd  in  particular  religious 
^nd  political  tenets  ^  jealous  of  their  rulers,  and  tenacious  of  their 
Jibert^es,  ^difpojitlons  K\:hich  otiginate  naturally  from  the  dread  if  ex*    1 
teihnicd  opffejfion^  and  the  habit  ef  iiving  under  a  'free  govirnment^ 
^nd  you  :have  a  pretty  juft  idea  of  the  chaiadlerpf  the  people  of 
Vermont.     Indolence  is  never  a  chara^eriftical  feature  of  the  fettlcn 
of  a  new  country  j  emigrants  in  general  are  aftive  and  induftrious  3 
the  oppofite  charaders  have  neither  fpirit  nor  inclination  to  quit  .jj 
their  native,  fpot.     The  inference  is,  that  Vennont  is  peopled  with    1 
pn  active,  induftrious,  hardy,  frugal  race  ;  as  is  really  the  cafe.  Ab4  * 
as  it  i*  a  maxim  that  the  inhabitants  of  all  new.  countries,  grow  yir-%  • 
tuous  before  they  degenerate,- it  will  moft- probably*  be  fo  in- Vciw  ■" 
tnont. 

The  military  ftrengtb  of  this  St^te  is .  truly  rripoflablc ;  fik  " 
fer  back  as  17B8,  there  were  ^upw^ds  of  fcventeen  thoufand  citii»  - 
zens  iSp<5h"the  militia  rolls ;  fhefe  corilTfled  of  two  divifions,  onO  - 
on  the  weft,  th^  other  on  the  eaft  fide  of  the  mountain ;  in  thefe 
two  divifions  v^ere  feven  brigades,  cohfi  fling  of  twenty-two  regi-  ' 
incnts.  The  bravery  of  ^he  Vernionteers,  o^  Qrecn  Bifo^nt^in^ 
toys,  is  proverbial. 

TRADE  AND  JMANUFACTURES. 

^h^  jnhahkants  of  Vermont  tradtf  principally 'wiA'Bpfton»  ^eirs 
•Verk^  -flfid-Hartibrd.  The  artibles '  of  export*  arc  ebi^y  pot-alUI 
i>^lfi9ie«9  beef^  horfts,  ^b|  fpine  gutter  3!l4  cKeclqi  -I^t^btfi  &e^ 


OF  VEHMONr.  55 

The  inhabitaiits  generally  manu&^ure  their  own  clothing.  In  the 
f^rtdly  way.   Grain  has  been  raifed  in  fuch  plenty  within  a  few  years 
pad*  that  they  have  been  induced  to  attempt  the  manufa^ure  of 
com  ipirits :  for  this  purpose  fix  or  feven  ftills  have  already  been 
ere^d)  which  yield  a  fufficient  fupply  tor  Lhe  people,  and  a  profit  t# 
the  owners.    Vaft  quantities  of  pot  and  pearl  aihes  are  made  in 
evexy  part  of  the  State ;  but  one  of  the  moft  important  manufactures 
in  this  State  is  that  of  maple  fugar ;  it  has  been  eflimated  by  a  com- 
petent  jud^e,  that  the  average  quantity  made  by  every  family  fitu- 
ated  on  the  back  of  Connecticut  river  is  two  hundred  pounds  a 
years   one  man,  with  but  ordinary  advantages,  in  one  month,  made 
fiv^e  hundred  and  fifty  pounds,  of  a  quality  equal  to  imported  brown 
fugar.      In  two  towns,  in  Orange  county,  containing  no  more  than 
forty  families,  thirteen  thoufand- pounds  of  fugar  were  made  in  the 
year  1791*    The  probability  is^  that  in  a  few  years  mnple  fugar  wiU^ 
heconie  an  article  of  export.    In  fome  part  of  the  State  the  inhabi- 
tants are  beginning  to  line  the  roads  with  maple  trees ;  and  it  would 
certainly  be  a  wife  meafure  if  this  pra6tice  fliould  become  general 
throughout  the  States ;  orchards  of  thefe  trees,  planted  on  Hoping 
hillst  fo  as  to  render  it  eafy  to  collect  the  juice,  might  be  attended 
peculiar  advantages  to  the  owners. 


LITERATURE  AND  IMPROVEMENTS. 

.'Much  cannot  be  faid  in  &vour  of  the  prefent  ftate  of  literature 
klhia  State;  but  their  profpeds  in  this  regard  are  good.  In  every 
tbrter  of  a  town,  as  we  have  mentioned,  provifion  ii  made  for 
iteolsf  .by  referving  a  certain  quantity  of  land  folely  for  their  fup^ 
toru  The  aflembly  of  this  State,  in  their  October  feffion  in  1791, 
frfbd  >ui  zGt  for  the  eftabliihment  of  a  college  in  the  town  of  Bum 
JiDgton,  on  lake  Champlain,  on  the  fouth  -fide  of  Onion  river,  and 
^ppoioted  .ten  truflees.  General  Ira  Allen,  one  of  the  truftees,  on 
ocrtain*  conditions,  has  offered  lands,  &c*  to  the  amount  of  four  tboam 
imd  pounds  towards  this  eftabliflHnent. 

The  expediency  of  opening  a  communication  between  the  waten 
ef  lake  Champlain  and  Hudfon's  river ;  and  of  rendering  the  navi- 
pnon  of  Connedicut  river  more  eafy  and  advantageous,  has  been 
diicnfled  .by  the  iegiflature  of  this  State ;  and  meafures  have  beea 
adopted  to  efieft  the  latter,  by  incorporating  a  company  for  the  pur- 
^-of  locking  ■  Bellow's  Alls,  who  are  to  complete  the  work  witliia 
^  years  firom  the  jMiffin^;  of  the  a^  and  to  receive  a«)U  for  aH 

boats 


5^  GENI/ftAL    DESCRIPTION 

boats  tbat  pafs ;  the  toll  to  be  a  fubjeft  of  reguhtion.  The  works 
are  already  begun»  and  when  completed  will  be  of  great  advantage 
to  the  State,  by  facilitating  the  exportation  of  their  produce.  The 
other  propofed  canal  between  lake  Champlain  and  Hudfon*s  river 
would  alfb  be  important,  but  it  is  doubtful  whether  it  will,  at  pre^  . 
Sent,  be  accomplifhed. 

Having  thus  given  a  concife  account  of  this  State,  and  nothing  Ria* 
terial  occurring  in  its  hiftory  to  entitle  it  to  a  feparate  difcuffioti,  we 
ihall  clofe  it  with  a  view  of  its  conllitution  and  government* 

CONSTITUTION. 

The  inhabitants  of  Vermont,  by  their  reprefentatives  in  convea*  ^ 
tion,  atWindfoc,   on  the  2jth  of  December,  1777,  declared  that  [ 
the  territory  called  Vermont  was,  and  of  right  ought  to  be,  a  free  » 
and  mdependent  State ;  and  for  the  purpofe  of  maintaining  regular  ^ 
government  in  the  fame,  they  made  a  folemn  declaration  of  their 
rights,   and  ratified  a  confUtution,  of  which  the  following  is  an  ; 
akftraft: 


.; 


■: 


DECLARATION   OF  RIGHTS. 

The  declaration,  which  makes  a  part  of  their  conftitiition,  afierts 
that  all  men  arc  bom  equally  free — with  equal  rights,  and  ought  to 
enjoy  liberty  of  confcience— fixedom  of  the  prcfs — atrial  by  jury— 
'power  to  form  new  ftates  in  vacant  countries,  and  to  regulate  thei^^ 
ewn  internal  poiice<--that  all  ele£tions  ought  to  be  free — that  all  power 
is  originally  in  the  people — that  government  ought  to  be  tnftituted 
•fer  the  common  benefit  of  the  community — and  that  the  comnaimitjr 
have  a  right  to  reform  or  abolifh  government — th^t  every  member 
■of  fbciety  hath  a  right  to  prote6tion  of  life,  liberty,  and  property-^ 
and  in  return  is  bound  to  contribute  his  proportion  of  the  expeitcc 
0f  tisat  protedion,  and  yield  his  perfonal  fervice  when  necefTary*^^ 
that  hefhall  not  be  obliged  to  give  evidence  againft  himfelf->^that  the 
people  have  a  right  to  bear  arms — but  no  itanding  armies  fliall  be 
sraintained  in  time  of  peace — that  the  people  have  a  right  to  bold 
•themfelves,  their  houfes,  papers,  and  pofiefllons,  free  from  fearch  or 
ieizure— and  therefore  warrants  without  oaths  firfb  made,  affording 
fufiicient  foundation  for  them,  are  contrary  to  that  right,  and  ought 
•not  to  be  granted — that  no  perfon  ihall  be  liable  to  be  tranfported 
xmt  of  this  ftate  for  trial  for  any  offence  committed  within  thk 
ftatc^  &c, 

Vcnnc^t^ 


or    VERMONT.  55 

FftAM£   OF   GOVERNMEKT. 

By  the  frame  of  government,  the  fupremc  legHlative  power  i^ 
vefted  iQ  the  Houfe  of  Reprefentatives  of  the  freemen  of  the  State  of 
Vermont,  to  be  chofen  annually  by  the  freemen  on  the  firft  Tuafdrf 
in  September,  and  to  meet  the  ieoond  Thurfday  of  the  fucceeding 
06tober. — This  body  is  veiled  v;  ith  all  the  powers  neoeflary  for  the 
Icgillature  of  a  free  ftate. — Two  thirds  of  the  whole  number  of  repre* 
fentatives  elected  make  a  quorum. 

Each  inhabited  town  throughout  the  State  has  a  right  to  fend  on« 
reprefentative  to  the  alTembly. 

The  fiipreme  executive  power  is  vefled  in  a  governor,  lieu* 
tenant-governor,  and  twelve  counfellors,  to  be  chofen  annusdly 
in  the  fame  manner,  and  veiled  with  the  fame  powers  as  in  Coiu 
De6ticut« 

Every  peribn  of  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  who  has  refided  in 

the  State  one  whole  year  next  before  the  election  of  reprefentatives, 

and  is  of  a  quiet,  peaceable  behaviour,  and  will  bind  .himfelf  by  his 

,  oath,  to  do  what  he  fliall  in  confdence  judge  to  be  moil  conducive 

to  the  bed  good  of  tlie  State,  ihall  be  entitled  to  all  the  privileges  of  a 

fxxeoian  of  this  State. 

Each  member  of  the  Houfe  of  Reprefentatives,  before  he  takes  his 
feat,  muil  declare  his  belief  in  one  God,  in  future  rewards  and  pu« 
oilhments,  and  in  the  divinity  of  the  fcriptures  of  the  Old  and  New 
Xeftament,  and  muil  profefs  the  proteftant  religion. 

Courts  of  juitice  are  to  be  eilabliihed  in  every  county  throughout 
Ae  State. 
The  fuprerae  court,  and  the  feveral  courts  of  common  pleas  of 
tlm  State,  befides  the  powers  ufually  exercifed  by  fuch  courts,  have 
ffe  powers  of  a  court  of  chancery,  fo  far  as  relates  to  perpetuating 
iefdmony,  obtaining  evidence  from  places  not  within  the  State,  and 
the  care  of  the  perfons  and  eilates  of  thofe  who  are  non  compotes 
mmiisy  &c.  All  profecutions  are  to  be  commenced  in  the  name  and 
by  the  authority  of  the  freemen  of  the  State  of  Vermont.  The  le^ 
giflature  are  to  regulate  entails  fo  as  to  prevent  perpetuities. 

All  field  and  ilaff  officers,  and  commillioned  officers  of  the 
army,  and  all  general  officers  of  the  militia,  ihall  be  chofen  by  the 
'griiend  affembly,  and  be  commiffioned  by  the  governor. 

Every  feventh  year,  beginning  with  the  year  178s*  thirteen  per- 

.  ibiif,  none  of  whom  are  to  be  of  the  council  or  aflembly,  ihall  be 

choicn  by  the  freemen,  and  be  called  <*  the  council  of  cenfors,*' 

4  whofc 


5$  fiENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

middle  of  the  river,  to  its  moft  northerly  head,  which  is  a  pcsLiil^ 
fituated  partly  in  the  town  of  Wakefield,  and  partly  in  thq  town  ql 
Shapley,  in  the  county  of  York ;  a  diflance  from  the  mouth  of  the 
harbour,  of  about  forty  miles,  in  N.  N.  W.  courfe.    From  the  head 
of  this  pond^  according  to  the  royal  determination,  in  1 740,  the  dW 
▼iding  line  wad  to  run  '*  north,  two  degrees  weft^  till  one  hundred 
and  twenty  miles  were  finifhed^  from  the  mouth  of  Fafcataqua  har* 
bour,  or  uiitil  it  m^fet  with  bis  Majefty's  other  gOYeriiments.**    The 
reafon  for  mentioning  this  fpecific  diflance  in  the  decree,  was,  -that 
one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  were  the  extent  of  thcr  province  of 
Maine.    At  that  time,  no  other  government  fubjeft  to  the  Britifli 
^rown  laj  m  that  dire6^iom    In  1763,  the  new  proviaee  of  Quebec  ^ 
was  erected,  and  its  fouthern  boundary  was  ^'  a  line  paffing  along  J 
the  high  lands,  which  divide  the  rivers  that  empty  themfelves  into  the.  f 
river  St.  Lawrence,  from  thofe  which  fall  into  the  fea.^    By  the 
tfeaty  of  peace  between  America  and  Britain^  in  1783,  all  the  lands 
ibuthwa:fd  of  that  line,    reckoning  it  from  the  eaftward  "  to  the 
north* weft  head  of  ConnetSticut  river,  and  thence  down  along  ther 
middle  of  that  river,  to  the  forty-fifth  degree  of  north  latitude," 
were  ceded  to  the  United  States.    Thefe  determinations  have  been 
fo  conftrued,  as  to  favour  an  eitenfipn  of  the  line  between  New- 
Hampfliire  and  Maine,  to  the  high  lands  which  bound  the  pro*   1 
vbce  of  Quebec;  a  diilance  of  twenty-five  miles  beyond  the  oortherm  | 
limits  of  the  province  of  Maine. 

New-Hamp(hire  is  bounded  on  the  north  hy  thcBritifh  province  of 
Quebec.  The  north-eaftem  extremity  of  this  boundary  line  is  a 
birch  tree,  mark-cd  N. B. New-Hampfliire,  1789.  This  line  ex-- 
lends,  along  the  h?gh  latids,  feventeen  miles  and  two  hundred  and 
fevcn  rods,  to  the  head  of  the  north-weftern  branch  of  Connecticut 
river;  at  which  extremity  is  a  fir  trecy  infcribed  N. H.  N.W* 
'1789*  Thence  the  boundary  defcends  to  the  forty-fifth  degree  of 
latitude,  along  the  middle  of  the  north-weftcrn  branch,  which  there 
unites  with  the  uorth-eaflern,  or  main  branch  of  the  river* 

AIR,   CLIlVtAtE,  AND  SEASONS. 

. .  The  air  of  New-Hampfliire  is  generally  pure  and  (alubriows^ 
Puring  the  winter  months,  the  prevailing  wind  is  from  the  norths 
)vcft,  which  is  dry;  cold,  and  bracings;  it  rarely  brings  fnovv,  but 
^hen  it  does,  the  degree  of  cold  is  inereafed.  That  the  coldnefs  rf 
^norfh-we&  wind  is  owinj^to  the  great  Jakes,  is  a  vulgar  error, 

•ftea 


I  OF    KEWrHAMPSHIRE.  59 

^^.J  ♦ffcaretafled  by  geographical  writers,  and  adopted  by  unthinking 
o/ij  P^¥^*  All  the  great  lakes  lie  weftward  of  theN.  W.  point,  anil 
j^)^  fomc  of  them  foudiward  of  W.  It  is  more  natural  to  fuppofc  that 
tkimmcnfe  wildernefs,  biitcfpecially  the  mountains,  when  covered 
with  fnow,  give  a  kecnnefs  to  the  air,  as  a  cake  of  ice  to  a  quantity 
of  liquor  in  which  it  floats ;  and  that  this  air,  put  in  motion,  con- 
i^,f     ?c/s  its  cold  as  far  as  it  extends- 

The  deepefl  fnows  fall  with  a  north-eaft  wind,  and  ftorms  from 

that  quarter  arc  moft  violent,  and  of  longeft  duration  ;  after  which, 

the  wind  commonly  changes  to  the  N.  W,  and  blows  brifldy  for  a  day 

or  two,  driving  the  fnow  into  heaps.    This  efFe£t  is  produced  only  in 

the  open  grounds ;  in  the  foreil,  the  inow  lies  level,  fr§m  two  to 

four  feet  in  depth  throughout  the  winter.     On  the  piountains,  the 

fnow  falls  earlier,  and  remains  l^ter  than  in  the  low  grounds.    On 

Chofe  elevated  fummits,  the  winds  alfo  have  greater  ^rce,  drivipg 

the  fiiow  into  the  long  an4  deep  gullies  of  the  mountains,  where  it 

is  fo  confolidated,  as  not  t^  be  eafily  dilFolve^  by  the  vernal  fun^ 

Spots  of  fnow  are  feen  on  the  fouth  fides  of  the  mountain^  as  late  as 

May,  and  on  the  higheft  till  July* 

Light  frofts  begin  in  Sept/ember ;  in  October  they  are  oiore  frcr 
qnent,  and  by  the  end  of  that  month,  ice  is  made  in  fmall  collec- 
tions of  water,  but  the  weather  is  moflly  ferene.  November  is  a  va* 
riable  month,  alternately  wet  and  dry ;  the  furface  of  the  grpu^d  i$ 
frequently  frozen  and  thawed.    The  fame  weather  continues  thrpugh 
I  part  ^f  December,  but  commonly,  in  the  courfe  of  this  month, 
the  rivers ^and  the  earth  are  thoroughly  frozen,  and  well  prepared  to 
receive  and  retain  the  faow*    January  often  produces  a  thaw,  which 
is  focceeded  by  a  fevere  froft.    In  February,  the  deepcft  fnows  and 
ibe  coldeft  weather  prevails  ,*  but  the  loweft  depreffion  of  t^e  ther- 
inometer  is  generally  followed  by  wet  and  ipild  weather.    March  is 
bluftering  and  cold,  with  frequent  flights  of  foow ;  but  the  fun  is 
then  fo  high  as  to  melt  the  ihow  at  noon.    Iq  April,  the  open 
country  is  generally  cleared  of  fnow,  but  it  commonly  lies  in  the 
^voods  till  May.    This  is  the  ufual  routine  of  the  wintry  feafon,  but 
there  are  fometinnes  variations.  In  1771,  the  fnow  did  not  fall  till  the 
end  of  January ;  in  1 786,  it  was  very  deep  in  the  beginning  of  De- 
cember*   When  the  fnow  comes  early,  it  preferves  the  ground  from 
being  deeply  frozen,  otherwife  the  froft  penetrates  to  the  depth  qf 
three  feet  or  more. 

J  z  From 


f 


6o  GENERAL    DESGRIPTIOK 

Ffom  die  middle  of  September,  the  momuigi  and  evening  c^^S^ 
io  be  ib  chilly  that  a  fmali  fire  becomes  a  deQrabie  companion.  In  ^^ 
Odober,  the  weather  require^  one  to  be  kept  more  fieadily ;  ^rott^^ 
flie  time  that  the  autumnal  rains  come  on  in  November,  it  i$  in^  ^ 
Variably  necefTary  to  the  end  of  Mp:h ;  \n  April  it  is  intermittiBd 
noon ;  a  fiorm  is  always  expe^ed  in  May,  and,  till  that  is  paft^ 
chimney  is  not  clofed  ^  they  therefore  reckon  eight  moi^th^  of  coK'^ 
weather  in  the  year. 

It  has  often  been  obferved,  that  thunder  clouds^  ^hep  nfcar  t^^j= 
earth,  feem  to  be  attra^ed  by  large  coiledtions  of  water.  In  t.  ^=J 
neighbourhood  of  lakes  and  ponds,  the  thunder  is  reverberated  frc=>i 
tiie  furroundmg  mountains  in  a  grand  and  folemn  echo  of  long  con^  tj 
finance. 

'  A  fouth-weft  breeze  in  fummer  is  accompanied  with  a  fercne  fte=^ff 
)ind  this  is  the  warmeft  of  their  winds,  'fhe  N.  W*  wind  does  n^  "^ 
i)low  in  fummer,  but  after  a  thunder  ftioWer,  when  its  elafticity  ai 
cpolnefs  are  as  refrefliing  as  the  preceding  heat  is  tedious. 
■  In  the  neighbourhood  of  frefh  rivert  and  ponds,  a  whitiih  fog 
the  morning,  lying  over  the  water,  is  a  fure  indication  of  fair  i^ei 
ther  for  that  day,  and  when  no  fog  is  feen,  rain  is  expe6ted  htht::^ 
night.  In  the  nlountainous  parts  of  the  country,  the  afcent  of  v? 
pours,  and  their  formation  into  clouds,  is  a  curious  and  entertainii 
iibje^.  The  vapours  are  feen  rifing  in  fmall  columns,  like  fmol 
firom  chimneys ;  when  rifen  to  a  certain  height,  they  fpread,  m< 
condenfe,  and  arc  attra£^ed  by  the  mountains,  whtre  they  eitl 
iliilil  m  gentle  dews,  and  repleniih  the  fprings,  or  defcend  in  Qiowei 
toccondpanieil  v^itlf  thunder".  After  fliort  intermiffions,  the  proct 
18  repeated  many  times  in  the  courfe  of  a  fummer  day,  affording  tt 

travellers  a  lively  illuftration  of  whatis  obferved  in  the  book  of  J< 

',      • .  .  ■  ,1      •'  ■  •  '  •      <    ■ 

"  they  are  wet  with  the  (bowers  of  the  mountain.*'* 

The  aurora  horeaUsy/2A  firft  noticed  in  New-Hampfliire,  in  th< 
year  1719.!    The  elder  people  fay  it  is  much  more  frequent  tjoir 

•  than 

*  Job.  xxiv.  8. 

•f  The  following  account  of  this  appearance  is  taken  from  the  Bof^on  l^iTews  Letter 
of  March  14,  1720. 

*<  The  late  cxrr;wrdin3ry  appearance  in  the  heavens,  of  December  1 1,  is  the  firft  o£ 
the  kind  that  v&  known  to  have  been  feen  in  New-England,  and  was  at  the  fame  time 
obferveJ  throug.iout  the  country.  Some  ixj  it  was  feen  at  three  fcveral  tivKies,  vi«.  it 
icight;  twelvci  and  again  toward  morning.    The  account  of  fome  is,  of  a  cloud  lying^ 

lengthway. 


or   NEW-HAMPSHIRE.  6l 

ft\9n  ktm^ly.  It  fometiipes  appears  in  the  form  of  a  lumioout 
firchf  extending  from  eaft  to  weft,  but  more  commonlj  rifes  from  a 
iak  conveutv  in  d>e  north,  and  flaihes  upward  toward  the  zenich* 
Id  a  calm  night,  and  Jn  the  intervals  between  gentle  flaws  of  windf 
inattnithre  ear,  in  a  retired  iituation,  may  perceive  it  to  be  accom* 

M   jnnied  with  a  found,*  This  luminous  appearance  has  been  obferved 

iit|  hall  feafon^  of  the  year,  in  the  extremes  of  heat  and  cold,  and  in  all 
the  intermediate  degrees.  The  colour  of  the  ftreams  is  fometimet 
piegated,    white,    blue,    yellow  and  red,    the  luftre  of  which^ 

i?|  reieded  frdm  the  fnow,  is  an  appearance  highly  pi^urefque  and  en^ 

h    Jfftaining. 

FAC?;  OF  THE  COUNTRY,    SEA  COAST, 
MOUNTAINS,    &c. 

•The  whol^  ea^tent  of  the  fea  coaft,  from  the  fouthern  boundary, 
^  the  mouth  of  Pafcataqua  harbour,  is  about  eighteen  miles.  The 
^ore  18  mofUy  a  fandy  beech,  within  which  are  fait  marfhes,  inter* 
fcfted  by  creeks^  There  arc  fe\xral  coves  for  fifhing  veflels,  but  the 
only  harbour  for  ihips,  and  the  only  fea  port  in  New-Hamp(hire,  is 
Pafcataqua,  where  the  ihore  is  rocky  ;  its  latitude  is  43°  5'  N.  and 

ks  longitude  70**  41'  W.  from  the  royal  obfervatory  at  Green- 

vich. 

•  lathemiddleof  the  harbour's  mouth,  lies  Great-Ifland,  on  which 


•sc 


pe  town  of  NewcaiUe*is  built.  On  the  N.  E.  point  of  this  ifland  a 
^ht  boufe  was  erected  in  17719  at  the  expence  of  the  province,  but 
jt  18  now  ceded  to  the  United  States.  The  dire£tions  for  entering  the 
)iaibour  are  thefe :  ^  Ships  coming  from  the  Eaft,  fhould  keep  in 
firdve  fathom,  till  the  light  bears  N.  half  a  point  E.  or  W.  diftant 
^fttte  miles,  to  avoid  a  ledge  of  rocks  which  lies  off  the  mouth  of 
jEbe  harbour,    then  bear  away  for  the  light,   keeping  the  weftern 

^eng;thw«y,  toward  the  north- we(}  and  north-eaft;  from  the  ends  of  which  arofe  tws 
^oudsy  afcending  toward  the  middle  of  the  heavens,  of  a  deep  red  colour,  and  almoft 
xneeting  each  other,  then  dclpending  toward  the  place  whence  they  arofc.  The  air  wav 
light  in  the  time  of  it,  as  a  little  after  fun  fet,  or  before  fun  rife  ;  and  romc  faw  lights, 
ibmcrbing  like  (hooting  ftars,  Rreaming  upwards  from  the  clouds.  It  was  feen  in  our 
towns  aU  along ;  and  the  gi^at  variety  of  accounts  may  in  part  proceed  from  this,  that 
jfome  law  ooly  one,  otherf  another  of  its  appearances." 

4^  If  any  peHon  would  have  a  prectfe  idea  of  the  found,  caufed  by  the  flaihing  of  the 
mitrora  horudit,  let  him  hold  a  filk  handkerchief  by  the  corner,  in  one  hand,  and  with 
^le  thumb  and  finger  of  the  other  hand,  make  a  quick  Aroke  alox\g  its  edge. 

ihore 


62  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

4bore  on  b-»arH,  and  coining  no  nearer  that  fliore  thaa  tbe  depth  of 
«iDC  fathoms,  givm^r  the  light  a  proper  birth,  and  (landing  over  to 
the  Borthern  fiiore  of  the  river,  where  they  may  anchor  in  nine  fa* 
ihoms,  abreaft  of  Sparhawk's  poiiu.  Ships  coming  from  the  fonth- 
vard,  iliould  ohferve  ihf*  fame  diredions  rcfpc<^ing  the  light,  and 
keep  in  nine  farhomson  the  wcftern  flip  re." 

Between  the  north  fide  of  Great-lfland  and  Kittery  ihore,  is  the 
main  entrance,  about  a  mile  wide,  nine  and  ten  fathoms  deep*  The 
anchorage  is  good ;  the  fliore  is  lined  with  rocks ;  the  harbour  if 
landlocked  on  ail  /ides,  and  perfediy  fare.  The  tides  rife  from  tea 
to  fourteen  feet.  The  other  entrance  on  the  fouth  fide  of  Great* 
Ifland  is  called  Little  Ka; hour;  the  water  here  is  flioaf,  and  the 
bottom  fapdy. 

There  are  feveral  iflands  in  the  river,  between  which  and-  th» 
fiiores  are  channels  for  fmall  veilels  and  boats.  Between  the  upper 
end  of  Great-lfland,  and  the  town  of  Portimouth,  on  the  fouth^m 
£de  of  the  river,  is  a  broad,  deep,  flili  water,  called  the  PoqI| 
where  the  largeft  fliips  may  lie  very  conveniently  and  fecurely.  This 
was  the  ufual  flation  for  the  maft  ihips,  of  which  feven  have  beea 
loading  at  one  time. 

The  main  channel  lies  between  Pierce's  ifland  arid  Seavey*s,  on 
each  of  which,  batteries  of  cannon  were  planted,  and  entrenchmentf 
foimcd  in  1775.  Here  the  fiream  is  contra^ed  to  a  very  narrow  paC 
fage^.and  the  tide  is  extremely  rapid,  but  the  water  is  deep,  with  a 
bold  rocky  Ihore  on  each  fide.  The  rapidit)-  of  the  current  prevents 
the  river  from  freezing  in  the  fevereft  winters. 

Three  leagues  from  the  mputh  of  the  harbour  lie  the  ifles  of 
Shoals»>  which  are  feven  in  number.  On  Star^Ifland,  the  ioym 
of  Gofport  is  built,  which  belongs  to  Ne^^-Hampihire.  The 
dividing  line  runs  between  that  and  the  next  ifland  to  the  northward^ 
which  belongs  to  Mafl^achufetts  ;  here  is  a  good  road  with  moorings, 
and  an  artificial  dock  has  been  conftru6ted,  with  great  labour  and  ex* 
pence,  by  Mr.  Haley,  for  fifliijig  veflTels.  Ships  fometimes  take 
ilielter  here  in  bad  weather,  but  it  is  not  then  fafe  for  thofe  of  large 
bulk.  Thcfe  iflands  being  of  folid  rock,  with  but  little  earth,  are 
incapable  of  any  improvement  by  tillage,  tliough  they  afford  fomc 
pafturage  and  gardens.  The  inhabitants  have  formerly  carried  oa 
the  cod  fifliery  to  great  advantage,  but  it  has  been  for  fonae  years 
dechning.      Salt-works  have  been  erected  on  one  of  the  iflands, 

X  which 


OF    NEW-HAMrSHIRE.  6^ 

which  have  yielded  fait  of  a  fuperior  quality,  exccl\cJ^'\y  a(?.3ptcd  to 
the  curii:g  of  fifti. 

The   remarkable  mountain,  AgamisntlcMS,  li*!s  about  rnir  leagues 
north  of  the  entrance  of  Pafcataqua,  and  there  are  il.i  .e  ii  f.r.ur  fum- 
niits,  known  by  ihe  nanne  of  Frofl*s  Hills,  at  a  Icl:  Jiftaiice  on  the 
N«  W.     Thefe  are  fituate  within  the  county  of  York,  formerly  called 
the  province  of  Maine ;  but  from  the  fea,  no  remarkable  h<ga  land» 
appear,  which  are  v.jthin  the  limits  of  New-HainpHiire,  nearer  than 
twenty   or  thirty  miles.     The  firft  ridge  is  continued  throug^\  the 
towns   of  Rochefter,  i^arrington,  and  Nottingham,  and  the  fevcral 
fuiiunxts  are  diilinguifned  by  different  names,  as  Tencriffe,  Saddle- 
back,  Tnckaway,  &c.  but  the  general  name  is  the  Blue  Hills.  Beyond 
thefe  are  fevcral  higher  ones,  as  Mount  Major,    Moofe  Mountain, 
&c.  thefe  are  not  in  a  continued  range,  but  detached ;  between  tiiem 
are  many  fmaller  elevations,  lome  of  which  are,  and  others  are  not^ 
difbin^ly  named.      Farther  back  tlie  mountains  rife  higher,    and 
among  the  third  range,   Chocorua,   Oflgpy,  and  Kyarfarge,  claim 
the  pre*eminence.    Beyond  thefe,  is  the  lofty  ridge,  which  is  com- 
monly called  the  height  of  land,  becaufc  it  feparates  the  branches  of 
the  river  Conncflicut  from  thofe  of  Merrimack.    In  this  ridge  i» 
the  Grand  Monadnock,  twenty-two  miles  ead  of  the  river  Connec- 
^ut,  and  ten  miles  north  of  the  fbuthern  boundary  line.     Thirty 
miles  north  of  this,  lies  Sunnapee  Mountain,  and  forty-eight  miles 
&rthcr  in  the  feme  direction  is  MooQielock.    The  ridge  then  is  con- 
ttiued  north-eailcrly,  dividing  the  waters  of  the  river  Connedticut 
fit)m   thofe  of  Saco  and  Amarifcoggin.     Here  the  mountains  rife 
much  higher,  and  the  mofi:  elevated  fummits  in  this  range  are  the 
\\hite  Mountaii^. 

lilountains  appear  of  different  colours,  according  to  the  nature  of 

their  exterior  furface,  the  feafon  of  the  year,  and  the  diflance  of  the 

obfervcr.     Thc:y  are  all  covered  with  wood,  the  fmaller  ones  wholly^ 

the  larger  have  bald  fummits,  which  appear  white,  as  long  as  the 

fbow  remains ;  but  at  othet  times  vary  theu*  colour  according  to  the 

dxftance  of  the  obferver.    If  he  is  very  nigh,  they  appear  of  the  grey 

colour  of  the  rock,  and  the  farther  be  recedes,  their  appearance  is 

a  paler  blue,  till  it  becomes  nearly  of  the  colour  of  the  iky*    The 

y/voody  parts  of  mountains,   when  viewed  at  a  fmall  diflance,   are 

green,  at  a  greater  diilance,    blue.    From  fome  favourable  fitua- 

tionsy  ail  ihefe  varieties  may  be  feen  at  once  ;  mountains  of  different 

(liadei 


($4  GBNIRAL    DESCRIPTION 

iludes,  ttxluF^^  smd  elcTatioQSi  are  preiented  to  die  eye  of  th6  cu^ 
rious  obferver* 

The  wood  on  thefe  monhtains  h  of  various  kinds,  but  they  have 
alt  more  or  lefs  of  the  evergreens,  as  pine,,fpruc*,  hemlock,  and 
fir^  intermixed  with  fhrubs  and  vines.  It  Is  univerfally  obferved,' 
that  trees  of  every  kinddiminifh  in  their  fize  toward  the  funnmit  ^ 
many  of  them^  though  fiiort)  appear  to  be  vety  aged;  On  fome 
mountains  we  find  a  ilirubbery  of  hemlock  and  fpruce,'  Whofe 
branches , are  kmt  together  fo  as  to  be  impenetrable ;  the  fnow  lodged 
OQ  their  tops,  and  a  cavity  is  formed  underneath ;  thefe  are  called  bf 
the  Indians,  Hakmantaks. 

.  Oa  the  tops  of  feveral  of  the  higheft  mountains,'  are  fnciall  collec- 
tions of  waters  and  on  others  j  marftiy  fpots,  which  are  frequented  b/" 
dquatic  birds.  The  roads  over  thofe  mountains  which  are  palTabie^ 
s^re  frequently  wet  and  miry,  while  the  valleys  below  are  dry» 
About  two  or  three  feet  under  the  furface  of  the  mountain,  is  a  firnr^ 
earth,  Called  the  pah^  which  is  impenetrable  by  water ;  the  rains  anc 
dews  are  therefore  retained  in  the  fofter  foil,  or  fornied  into  fpfing^ 
and  brooks.  This  foil  is  made  by  the  totting  of  fallen  leaves  aa« 
Wood,  the  growth  of  pad  ages. 

-  Mountainous  countries  are  obferved  to  be  moft  fubje£(  to  eartfaB 
<)uakes«  and  the  nearer  any  lands  are  to  mountains,  it  may  be  ess 
pe6ted  that  thefe  commotions  will  be  more  frequent.  Ncw-Englan  « 
hsfs  never  been  vifited  with  deftru^rive  earthquakes^  but  more  (liocl^i 
have  been  obferved  in  its  northern  than  in  its  fouthern  parts.  AftSt 
the  great  ihocks  in  1727  and  1755*  which  were  perceived  througtf 
a  great  p^rt  of  the  continent,  fmaller  fhocks  were  more  ffequenC 
in  New-Hampfhire  than  at  Boflon.  from  1755  to  1774,  fcarccly  i 
yeas  paiibd  without  fome  repetition ;  from  that  time  to  1783/  none 
were  obferved,  and  there  have  been  but  two  or  three  fince. 
,  Several  phenomena  refpefting  the  larger  mountains,  afford  mat- 
ter-of  aiDufementj  and  fome  are  of  real  ufe.  People  who  live  neat 
them,  humouroufly  ftile  the  mountains  their  almanack,  bfedaitfe  by 
the  afcent  and  attraSion  of  vapours,  they  can  form  a  judgment  of  th^ 
tueather.  If. a  cloud 'is  attra(^ed  by  a  mountain,  and  hoVefs  on  itsi 
top^  they  predict  rain ;  and  if,  after,  rain,  the  mountain  continues  cap* 
ped,  they  expeft  a  repetition  of  (howers.  A  florm  is  preceded  iai 
feveral*  hours  by  a  roaring  of  the*  mountain,  which  may  be  heard  terf 
6r  twelve  milee.  Thi»  is  frequently  obferved  by  people  whb  live  near 
^c  g4and  Monadnock.    Ii  is  alio  fuid,  that  when  there  is  a  perfect 


OF    NEW-HAMPSHIkE.  6^. 

^^m  on.  the  fouth  (idc,  there  is  fometimes  a  furious  wind  on  the 
^^^th,  which  drives  the  fnow,  fo  that  it  is  fccn  whirling  far  above 
l^  frees.* 
^he  town  of  Moultenborough  lies  under  the  S.  W.  fide  of  the ' 
^^at  Oflapy  mountain,  and  it  is  there  obferved,  that  in  a  N.  E.  ilorm, 
")e  wind  fails  over  the  mountain  like  water  over  a  dam,  and  with 
''^h  a  force  as  frequently  to  unror^f  the  houfes.'*f 
^hc  altitude  of  this  mountain  has  not  been  afcertained,  but  that 
^^  the  grand  Monadnock  was  meafured  in  1780,  by  James  Winthrop, 
*^^<l*   by  means  of  a  barometer,    and  the  *  table  of  correfpondirig 
"^'Shts,   in  Martin's  Pifiio/cp/jica  Bntaftnua.X     At  the  bafe,  on  the 
"^''th  fide,  the  barometer  being  at  28,4,  gave  an  tlevation  of  one 
^^^and  three  hundred  and  ninety-five  feet.     At  the  upper  edge 
^•^he  wood  it  was  at  27,0,  which  denoted  two  thoufand  fix  hundred 
^'glaty-two  feet ;    and  at  the  higheft  point  of  the  rock  26,4,  which 
announced  an  elevation  of  three  thoufand  two  hundred  and  fifty-four 
^^^t  above  the  level  of  the  fea. 

-The  bafe  of  this  mountain  is  about  five  miles  in  diameter,  From 

'^Tth  to  fouth,  and. about  three  from  eaft  to  weft.    Its  fumriiit  is  a 

^^^  rock;  on  fome  parts  of  it  are  large  piles  of  broken  rocks,  and  on 

^^  fides  are  foroe  appearances  of  the  explofion  of  fubterraheous 

A  fimilar  phenomenon  has  been  obferved  on  a  mountain^  in  the 

^UlWp  of  Chefterfield,  adjoining  Connecticut  river,  calledWcft 

^^  mountain.    About  the  year  1730,  the  garrifon  of  Fort  Dum- 

'^ry  diftant  four  miles,  was  alarmed  with  frequent  explofions,  and 

^h  columns  of  fire  aod  fmoke  emitted  from  the  mountain.  The  like 

^I^Pcarances  have  been  obferved  at  various  times  fince,  particularly 

^*  in  1752,  which  was  the  moft  violent  of  any.  There  are  two  places 

'^'^^rethe  rocks  bear  marks  of  having  been  heated  and  calcined.'  A 

^^^pany  of  perfons  having  conceived  a  notion  of  precious  metals' 

.  *^*«^. contained  in  this  miountain,  have  penetrated  it  in  various  di- 

^^ioQi,  and  have,  found  further  evidences  of  internal  fir^,  parti- 

^Wly  a  Jargc  quantity  of  fcoriap,  in  fome  parts  lo6fe,  in  others  a^  \ 

*^ing  to  the  rocjts.    The  pnly  valuable  effed  of  their  indiiftry  is 

^^  difcovcry.of  a  fine,  foft,  yellow  earth,  which  wheti  burned,  is 

^93i^dinto  a  brown  pigment,  and  another  of  tHe  colour  of  the 

r^b  blofibm.    There  is  alfo  obferved  on  the  earth,'  which  has  biefttl 

".■•■•■■ 
*  Ainfwonb's  MS.  letter.        f  Shaw's  |{S.  kttir.        X  Vot!  11.  j;.  131. 


66  GENERAL   1>E  SCRIPT  loft 

tKrowh  oiit,  a  white  incriiftatiun,  which  ha&  fhe  tatte  of  nitre.  TIW 
top  of  the  mburitaiii  is  an  area  of  abotit  twenty  rbds  fquare,  which  ii 
hollow,  and  in  a  wet  feafon  is  filled  with  water,  as  is  common  on  the 
tops  of  mountains,  but  there  is  no  appearance  of  fuch  a  crater  as  is  pe- 
culiar to  volcahos.  Under  the  mountain  are  many  fragments  of  reel 
w'hicti  have  fallen  from  it,  but  whethei*  by  explofions,  or  any  other  con- 
Vulfions,  or  by  force  of  the  froft,  caiinot  be  afcertaine  J.  An  account  oj 
tfiele  appearances  was  lent  to  the  Acidemy  of  Arts  and  Sciences,  b) 
tfle  late  Daniel  Jones,  Eftj.  of  Hinfdale.*  Since  which^  it  is  faid 
that  the  noife  has  been  again  heard ;  but  in  a  late  vifit  to  the  moun- 
tain, by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gay,  ho  fijgh  of  any  recent  explofion  conic 
be  difcovefed ;  nor  can  any  thing  be  added  to  what  Mt,  Jones  ha? 
written  on  the  fiibjeft.f 

The  White  Mountains  are  by  fef  th'e  moft  ftnpendous  of  any 
in  ttiis  StltCj  or  in  New-England,  and  perhaps  afe  the  moft  remark- 
able of  any  withm  the  United  States ;  they  thertfbre  merit  particu- 
lar notice.    Mr.  Belknap  elegantly  dcfcrib'es  them  as  follows  : 

From  the  earlieft  fe'ttlement  of  the  Country,  the  White  Motin- 
tains  have  attrad^ecl  the  attention  of  all  forts  of  perfons.  They  arc 
un3otihtedIy  the  higheft  land  in  New-£hglatid,  and  in  clear  weather 
are  difcovcrea  before  any  other  land,  by  veflels  coming  in  to  the 
caftern  coaft ;  but,  by  reafon  of  their  white  appearance^  are  frc« 
queutly  miitakeh  for  clouds.  They  are  vifible  on  the  land  at  the 
(fiiftance  of  eighty  mifesi  on  the  fouth  and  foufh-eaH  fides  $  they 
appear  higher*when  viewed  from  the  north-eaft,  and*  it  is  faid,  they 
aje  feeii  froAi  the  neighbourhood  of  Chambl^  and  Quebec.  The 
Indians  gave  them  the  name  of  Agiochook :  they  have  a  very  ancicnl 
ti^dition  that  their  country  was  dnce  drowned,  whh  all  its  inhal>i<« 
tants,  except  one  Powaw  and  his  Wife,  who,  forefeeihrg  the  floods 
fled  to  thefe  mountains,  where  they  wcfe  preferved,  and  that  from 
them  the  country  was  re-peopled.J  They  had  a  fuperllitious  vene- 
ration for  the  fummit,  as  the  hafbxtation  of  invifibie  beings ;  they 
never  ventured  to  afcend  it,  and  iailways  endeavoured  to  tKlItiadc 
every  one  from  the  attcfnpt.  From  them,  and  the  captives,  whom 
they  fometimes  led  to  Canada,  through  the  paffes  6f  thctk  moun- 
tains, many  'fiiSiohs  have  been  propagated,  which  have  given  rife  to 
paarv^llous  andi  incrediKle  ftories ;   particul^lyi  it  h^  been  re- 

*  Memoirs,  Vol.  K  p.  311..  f  Ga/s  MS.  Letter,  Oft.  19,  I790. 

J  'j6Cfciyh'$'VoyagctoNew-'EAgt4nff,'p.  »3|5. 


4^9  KEW-HAMPSHIBB..  6^ 

ported,  that  at  iiiynen&  and  iiui|Cceffible  hcigbts»  ^erc  l^aye  kfXfi 
iioeo  carbpiicUf,  which  ,^re  .^ippo^ed  fo  appe^u'  luminous  in  d^e 
night.  Some  writers^  wrio  have  attempted  to  give  an  account  (jf 
Aefe  mountains,  have  afccibed  the  whltenefs  of  them  to  {hiains 
w)uj  or  pL  kind  of  white  mote ;  and  ]the  hjgheft  fuxnmit  has  Iccp. 
<bemcd  inaccqjffible,  on  account  of  tlic  extreime  coldi  wLich  threiitfe^s 
to  iWieze  ithe  traveller  in  the  midH  of  fumme^. 

Nature  lias,  ipdeed,  in  that  region^  foi  onf^d  her  works  c^  a  lar|ne 
tale,  aqd  presented  to  view  many  objects  wh,icb  5I0  not  oi'dioariljf 
o^ur.  A  peribn  who  is  unacquainted  with  a  mountainous  coontiy^ 
^^ooQtf  upon  his  firft  coming  iuto4ty  make  SiU  .adequa,te  judgme jut 
^'  heights  and  diflangss  ;  he  will  imagine  every  -thing  ,to  be  JfGfX^V 
aod  leis  thaa  it  .re^Ly )«,  until,  by  experience,  he  leaci^  -to  cprx;^ 
^is  apprehcnfiij^s,  ^d  accommodate  his  e3^e ^o  the  ffu^iti^eand 
Nation  pf  the  objeft  around  him.  When  amazement  b  excite^ -by 
4e  grandeur  and  fublimity  of  the  fccnes  prefcnted  tpyiqv^,  fiJ^.V'^ 
^tj  tp  curb  the  imagination,  and  e^erciie  ji^men^  with  m^hp* 
Wical  precifipn ;  or  the  temptation  to  romance  :W,ill  be  invincible. 

The  Wliite  Mountains  are  the  moft  elevM^d  p^rt  of  a  ridge,  wjp^h 

c^CQ^i  fi.  £.  and  S.  W.  to  an  imnienie  dift^i^ce.    'jT^t^e  acea  of  .^hf^ir 

P^ie  is  an  irregular  figure,  :the  whole  cxrcwt  qf  which  ^s  ,not  l^fs 

^^u  fixty  miles.    The  number  of  fummits  wi^jn  (his  ^i^ea  9u^lpt 

^  preCuit  be  afcertaipcd,  th&.countiy  jquod  them^bci^g.^  tl)ic^.9^- 

^^oefe.    The  greateft  number  which  can  be  ieen  at  pnce  is  at  I^^t* 

'^'^uth,  on  the  N.  W.  fide,  ivhere  feven  fumfnita  appe^i^r  s^.ofie 

^*^w,  of  which  four- .are  bal4;  of  thefe,  the  three  high^ft  aie.^e 

^'^ik  dift^nt,  being  on  the  eaAern  fide  of  |be  e^Hfter;  one.of  ^^h^fe 

^  tlie  mountain  which  makes  fp  majttiUc  an  ap^ar^qceiall  -alp^g  fhc 

^re  of  the  eaftern  couqties  of  Maflacbufetts ;  it  has  laid/  \mo> 

^fting^ifbed  by  the  name.of  M^um  iVii/bingtm,* 

To  arrive  at  the  foot  of  this  ipQput^  tbcne:  is.|l.^9tipv^  ^/km^ 

^f  twelve  miles  from  the  plain  of  Pigwacket,  which  brings  the  tra* 

velJet  to  the  height  of  land  between  Saco  and  Amarifcoggin  rivers. 

'^t  this  height  there  is  a  level  of  :.abput  a  milf  fquare,  part,  of  which 

^  ^  meadow,  formerly  a  beaver  .pood,  .with  a  .dam  at.^ach  end ; 

^^^^  though  elevated  more  than  three  thoufand  feet  above  the  level 

f ^  ^He  fea,  the  traveller  finds  himfelf  io  a  d^ep  valley.    On  the  eaft 

•^^  deep  mountain,  out  of  which  iffue  feveral  fprmgs,  pne  of  which 

•^'  the  fountain  of  Ellis  river,  a  branch  of  Saco,  which  runs  foutjh  ; 

^^tli^y  of  Pe^body  river^  a  brapch  of  An;|uUcpggin|  wbich;rt|na 

*  K  %.  north: 


6S  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

north :  from  this  meadow^  towards  the  veft,  there  is  an  unintei- 
xiipted  afcent  on  a  ridge  between  two  deep  gullies  to  the  fumniir 
of  Mount  Wafliington. 

The  lower  part  of  the  mountain  is  (haded  by  a  thick  growth  of 
^ruce  and  fir.  The  farface  is  compofed  of  rocks,  covered  with 
very  long  green  mofs,  which  extends  from  one  rock  to  another^  and 
is,  in  many  places,  fo  thick  and  ftrong,  as  to  bear  a  man's  weight. 

'  This  immenfc  bed  of  mofs  ferves  as  a  fponge  to  retain  the  moifture 

^brought  by  the  clouds  and  vapours,  which  are  frequently  rifing  and 
gathering  round  the  mountains  ;  the  thick  growth  of  wood  prevents 
the  rays  of  the  fun  from  penetrating  to  exhale  it,  fo  that  there- is  a 

'cbnftant  fupply  of  water  depoiited  in  the  crevices  of  the  rocks,  and 

'  iflliing  in  the  form  of  fprings  from  every  part  of  the  mountain* 

The  rocks  which  compofe  the  furface  of  the  mountain  arc,  in 
fome  parts,  (late,  in  others  flint ;  fome  fpecimens  of  rock  chryftal 
have  been  found,  but  of  no  great  value  :  no  lime-ilone  ha^  yet  been 
dtfcovered,  though  the  moil  likely  rocks  have  been  tried  with  aqua- 
fortis. There  is  one  precipice  on  the  eaftern  fide,  not  only  com- 
'pletely  perpendicular,  but  compofed  of  fquare  flones,  as  regular  as 

'  a  piece  of  mafonry ;  it  is  about  five  feet  high,  and  from  fifteen  to 
twenty  in  length.    The  uppermoft  rocks  of  the  mountain  are  the 

•  common  quartz,  of  a  dark  grey  colour ;  when  broken,  they  flicw 
very  fmall  fhining  fpecks,  but  there  is  no  fuch  appearance  on  the 
exterior  part.  The  eaftem  fide  of  the  mountain  rifes  in  an  angle  of 
forty-five  degrees,  and  requires  (x  or  feven  hours  of  hard  labour  to 
afcend  it.  Many  of  the  precipices  are  fo  deep  as  to  oblige  the  tra- 
veller to  ufe  his  hands  as  well  as  feet,  and  to  hold  by  the  trees,  whieh 
diminifii  in  fize  till  they  degenerate  into  flirubs  and  buflies  ;  above 
thefe  are  low  vines,  fome  bearing  red  and  others  blue  berries,  and 
the  uppermofl  vegetation  is  a  ipecies  of  grafs,  ca^Ued  winter  grafs^ 

'  mfate'd  with  the  ixK>iB  of  the  rocks.^ 

Having 

I 

^  '  At  the  baTe  of  the  fummk  of  Mount  Wifhington  the  limits  of  vegetation  nay 
with  propriety  be  fixed  ;  there,  are,  indeed,  on  fome  of  the  rock  a,  even  to  thrir 
apicesy  fcattereJ  fpecks,  of  a  mofCy  ippeai^ance,  bu{  I  conceive  them  to  be  extranisous 
fubftanccs  accidentally  ;idhei;iQg  tp  the  rpcks,  for  J  could  not  difcover^  with  my  bo« 
tanical  mlcrcfcof^,  any  part  of  that  plant  regulai:ly  formed.  The  limils  of  vegeta* 
tion  at  the  bafe  of  this  fummit  are  as  w^U  defined  as  that  between  the  woods  and  th« 
bald  or  m^Ty  part.  So  ilriking  is  ihe  appearance^  that  at  a  coniiderable  didaoce  the 
mini!  is  imprefled  with  an  ideai  chat  vegetatioi>  extends,  no  farther  than  alhiey  as 

wea 


or    NEW-HAMPSHIRB*  69 

Having  furmounted  the  upper  and  ftecpcft  precipice,  there  is  a 
hrgc  area,  called  the  plain  ;   it  is  a  dr\-  heath,  compoftd  of  rockt 
corercd  with  mofs,  and  bearing  the  appearance  of  a  pafture  in  the 
beginning  of  the  winter  f^afon.     In  fome  openings,  between  the 
rocks,  there  are  fprings  of  ^vatcr,  in  others,  dry  gravel ;  here  the 
^fous,  or  heath  bird,  reforts,  and  is  genernliy  out  of  danger  ;  feveral 
of  them  were  (hot  by  fome  travellers  in  OfVobcr,  1774.    The  extent 
of  this  plain  is  uncertain ;  from  the  eaftern  fiJe  to  the  foot  of  the 
pinnacle,  or  fugar  loaf,  it  is  nearly  level,  and  it  mny  be  walked  over 
in   Jefs  than  an  hour.    The  fngar  loaf  is  a  pyramidal  heop  of  grey 
rocks,  which,  in  fome  places,  are  formed  like  winding  fteps ;  this 
pinnacle  has  been  afcended  in  one  hour  and  a  half.     The  traveller 
having  gained  the  fiimmit,  is  recompenfed  for  his  toil,  if  the  Iky  be 
fcrenc,  with  a  moft  noble  and  extenfive  profpeft.     On  the  f  )uth-eaft 
fide  there  is  a  view  of  the  Atlantic  ocean,  the  nearcft  part  of  which  w 
fixty-five  miles  in  a  dircdt  line  ;  on  the  weft  and  north  the  profpeft 
IS  bounded  by  the  high  lands,  which  feparate  the  waters  of  Con- 
ne<iHcut  and  Amarifcoggin  rivers,    from  thofe  of  lake  Champlain 
and  St-  Lawrence.     On  the  fouth,  it  extends  to  the  fouthernmoft 
mountains  of  New-Hampfliire,  comprehending  a  view  of  the  lake 
Wintpifeogec.     On  every  fide  of  thefe  mountains  are  long  winding 
gullies^   beginning  at  the  precipice  below  the  plain,  and  deepening  ia 
the  defcent.    In  winter  the  fnow  lodges  in  thefe  gullies,  and  bein^ 

wt'l  defined   as  the  penumhra  nnd  fbadow  in  ainnar  rclipfc.     The  floncs  I  havcljj 
mTp  from  the  fiimmit»  have  not  the  fmallcft  appcpr.ince  of  mofs  upon  tlvcm. 

«  There  is  evidently  tlic  ap|x;amnce  of  three  zones — r,  the  woods — 2,  the  b:ill 

OHiSf  psiit — 3,  the  part  above  vegetation.    The  (amc  appearance  has  been  obfcrved  on 

ibeMp%9  and  all  other  high  mountains. 

'  I  recollect  no  grafs  on  the  plain.     The  fpaces  between  the  rocks  in  the  fccond  zone 

and  on  tl\e  plain,  arc  hllcd  with  fprucc  an  J  fir,  which,  perhaps,  have  been  growing 

rvcr  (ince  the  creation,  and  yet  many  of  tlicm  have  not  attained  a  greater  hcij^ht  thaa 

three  or  four  inches,  but  their  fprcnuing  tops  are  fu  thick  and  llrong,  a^o  fupport 

the  vreighc  of  a  man,  without  yielJing  in  the  fmalleft  degree ;  the  fnows  and  winds 

keeping  the  furfice  ei'en  with  the  general  furfaccof  the  rocks.     In  many  places,  on 

the  fidef,  we  could  get  glades  of  this  growth,  fome  rods  in  extent,  when  we  cnuld,  by 

fsttins  down,  i^ide  the  whole  length.     The  tops  of  the  growth  of  wood  were  fo  thick 

and  BraXf  as  to  bear  us  currently  a  confiderablc  diAaucc  before  wc  arrived  at  the  ut- 

snoft   boundaries,  which  were  almoft  as  well  defined  as  the  water  on  the  fhore  of  a 

ponH.     The  tops  of  the  wood  had  the  appearance  of  basing  been  (horn  off, exhibiting  a 

fmooth  fiirface  from  their  upper  limits  to  a  great  di (lance  down  the  mouaraia.'    AIS, 

tf  Dr.  CuHtn 

driven 


7^  GENERAL   DESCRIPTION 

driven  by  jthc  north-weft  and  north-^aft  wind,  froan  tbetop)  ii  decpeft 
in  thofe  which  are  (Itiuted  on  the  foutherly  fide.  It  is  ebfervcd  to 
lie  longer  in  the  fpring  on  the  fouth  than  on  the  nortb-wcft  fide* 
which  18  the  tafe  with  ro^ny  other  hill«  in  New-Hampfliire. 

A  ranging  company,  who  afcendcd  the  higheft  mountain,  oa  tlie 
N*  W.  part,  April  29th;  xyajf  found  the  foow  four  feet  deep  00  that 
.£de$  the  funaniit  was  almoft-  bare  of  fnow,  though  covered  with 
whitfe  frofl  and  ice»  and  a  imall  poipd  of  water  near  the  top  was  bard 
frozen.  '{ 

In  i774f  fome  men  who  were  making  a  road  tiirovgh  the  eafteiTS 
pais  of  the  mountains,  afcended  the  mountain  to  the  fummity  on  the    | 
6th  of  June,  and  on  the  fouth  iide,  in  one  of  the  deep  guUies,  found   ] 
a  body  of  fiiow  thirteen  feet  deep,  and  fo  hard  a»  to  bear  them.    On    '■ 
the  i9tb  of  the  fame  month  fome  of  the  party  afcended  again,  and    | 
in  the  fame  fpot  the  fnow  was  five  feet  deep*    In  the  iirft  week  off 
September,  1783,  two  men,  who  attempted  to  afceud  the  moua<i 
tain,  found  the  bald  top  fo coveied  with  fnow  and  ice,  then  oewfy*    , 
formed,  that  they  could  not  reach  the  fummit ;  but  this  does  not 
happen  every  year  fo  foon,  for  the  mountain  has  been  afcended  as 
late  as  the  &v£t  week  in  October,  when  no  fnow  was  upon  it ;  and    | 
though  the  mountains  begin  to  be  covered,  at  times,  with  fnov» 
ILs  early  as  September,  yet  it  goes  off  again,    and  feldooi  gets  ~ 
&ed  till  the  end  of  October,  or  the  beginning  of  November  ;  bsl    { 
'fi'om  that  time  it  remains  till  July.    In  the  year  1784,  fnow  w«   '■ 
feen  on  the  fouth  fide  of  the  largefl  mountain  till  the  laih  of  July; 
in  1790,  it  lay  till  the  month  of  Auguil. 

During  this  period,  of  nine  or  ten  months,  the  mountains  eiLbibit 
more  or  lefs  of  that  bright  appear&nce  from  which  they  are  deno- 
minated white.  In  the  ipring,  when  the  fnow  is  partly.  diUblved, 
they  appear  of  a  pale  blue,  flreaked  with  white;  and  after  it  is 
wholly  gone,  at  the  diflance  of  fixty  miles,  they  are  altogether  of 
the  fame  pale  blue,  nearly  approaching  a  iky  colour  ;  while,  at  tlje 
fame  time,  viewed  at  the  diilance  of  eight  miles  or  lefs,.  they  appear 
of  the  proper  colour  of  the  rock.  Thefe  changes  are  obferved  by 
people  who  live  withih  con&ant  view  of  them-;  and  from  thefe  fads^ 
and  obfervations  it  may  with  certainty  be  concluded,  that  the  white- 
nefs  cf  them  is  wholly  caufed  by  the  fnow,  and  not  by  any  other 
white  iubftance,  for,  in  fad,  there  is  none  5  there  are,  indeed,  in  the 
fumm.er  months,  fome  flreaks  which  appear  brighter  than  oth^r 
parts:    but  thefe,  when  viewed  attentively  with  a  tc.leIcope,  aj-e 

plainly- 


OF    NEW-nAMPSniRE.  yt 

pbrnJy  obfenred  to  be  the  edges  or  (ides  of  the  long  deep  gullies 
eaiighlencd  by  the  fun,  and  the  dark  parts  are  the  fhaded  iidcs  of 
the  lame  ;  in  the  courl'e  of  a  day  thefe  fpots  may  be  fccn  to  vary 
according  to  the  polition  of  the  fun. 

A  company  of  gentlemen  vifited  thefe  mountains  in  }u1y«  17S49 
with  a  view  to  make  particular  obfervations  on  the  feveral  phenomena 
which  might  occur ;  it  happened,  unfortunately,  that  thick  cloudl 
co\~ered  the  mountains  almoil  the  whole  time,  fo  that  fome  of  the 
^  iniltru meats,  which  with  much  i.ibour  they  carried  up,  were  rendered 
iifelefs  ;  thefe  were  a  fextant,  a  tclefcope,  an  inftrument  for  afcer- 
t^iniDg  the  bearings  of  diftant  objc(^.ts,  a  barorricter,  a  theritiometer, 
3nd  feveral  others  for  different  purpofcs.    In  the  barometer  the  mer* 
cuiy  ranged  at  2fl,6,  and  the  thermometer  flood  at  44.  degrees.    It 
was   their  intention  to  have  placed  one  of  each  at  the  foot  of  the 
anountain,  at  the  fame  time  that  the  others  were  carried  to  the  top« 
k>r  the  purpofe  of  making  correfponding  obfervations ;  but  they 
were   unhappily  broken  in  the  courfe  of  the  journey,  through  the 
rugged  roads  and  thick  woods ;  and  the  barometer,  which  was  car- 
ried to  the  fummit,  had  fuffered  fo  much  agitation,  that  an  allowance 
was  neceflaiy  to  be  tnade  in  calculating  the  height  of  the  mountain, 
vliich  was  compute<l,  in  round  numbers,  at  five  thoufand  and  five 
hundred  feet  above  the  meadow  in  the  valley  below,  and  nearly  ten 
thoufand  feet  above  the  level  of  the  fea.*    They  intended  to  have 
■ode  a  geomefrical  menfuration  of  the  altitude ;  but  in  the  meadow 
ihey  could  not  obtain  a  bale  of  fuHicient  length,  nor  fee  the  fum- 
Hul  of  the  fugar  loaf ;  and  in  another  place,  where  thefe  inconve« 
wfcMcs  were  removed,  they  were  prevented  by  the  almofi  continual 
Muation  of  the  mountains  by  clouds. 

■  Tkeir  ezercife  in  afcending  the  mountain  was  fo  violent,  that  when 
I^«  Coder,  who  carried  the  thermometer,  took  it  out  of  his  bofom^ 
Ae  mercury  Aood  at  fever  hcat^  but  it  foon  fell  to  44^,  and  by  the 
time  that  he  had  adjuiled  hit  barometer  and  thermometer,  the  cold 
bd  nearly  deiprived  him  of  the  ufe  of  his  fingers.  On  the  upper- 
1^  tDck,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Little  began  to  engrave  the  letters  N.  H. 
kv  iMM  ib  chilled  with  the  cold,  that  he  gave  the  infiruments  to 

.  '"  This  computation  wfts  made  by  the  Rev.  Dr«  Cutler.  SubC-quent  obfjrTntions  and 
iaiculatioDs  have  induced  the  Mr.  Belknap  to  believe  the  coAputation  of  his  ingenious 
^d  too  modenti,  and  be  is  perfuaacd,  that  whenerer  the  mountain  can  be  mea-^ 
^  Vith  'tb»  t^flce  ^rttffioA,  h  wiU  be  iound  to  t9t€9^  yea  thouliiQd  feet  of  per- 
|^9ifBkr«llllu;»»  «h0Te  tl»  hvd  tf .  dtt  ocfia. 

Cdi. 


72  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

CoL  Whipple,  wlio  finifticd  the  letters.     Under  a  ftonc  they  left  i 
plate  of  lead,  on  which  their  names  were  engraven.    The  lun  Ihone 
dear  while  they  were  palling  over  the  plain,  but  immediately  after 
their  arrival  at  the  highefl  lummit,  they  had  the  mortification  to  be 
enveloped  in  a  deni'c  cloud,  which  came  up  the  oppolite  fide  of  the 
moimtain  :    this  unfortunate  circumftance  prevented  their  making 
any  ^rther  ufe  of  their  indruments.    Being  thus  iovolved,  as  they 
were  defcending  from  the  plain,  in  one  of  the  long  deep  gullies^  not 
^ing  able  to  fee  to  the  bottom,  on  a  fudden  their  pilot  Hipped,  and 
,was  gone  out  of  fight,  though  happily  without  any  other  damage 
tliaa  tearing  his  clothes.   This  accident  obliged  them  to  (lop.   When 
they  turned  their  eyes  upward,  they  were  aflonilhed  at  the  immenfc 
depth  and  ftecpnefs  of  the  place,  which  they  had  defcended  by  fixing 
their  heels  on  the  prominent  parts  of  the  rock,  and  found  it  imprac- 
ticable to  re-«fcend  the  fame  way ;  but  having  difcovered  a  winding 
gully  of  a  more  gradual  afccnt,  in  this  they  got  up  to  the  plain, 
and  then  came  down  on  the  eallern  fide ;  this  deep  gully  was  on 
the  foijth-eaft.  From  thcfe  circumftances  it  may  be  inferred,  that  it  is 
more  practicable  and  fafe  to  afcend  or  defcend  on  the  ridges  than  ia 
the  gullies  of  the  mountain. 

Thefe  vaU  and  irregular  heights,  being  copioufly  rcpleniihed  vf\th 
water,  exliibit  a  great  variety  of  beautiful  cafcadcs,  fome  of  which 
ialL  in  a  perpendicular,  (lieet  or  fpout,  others  are  winding  and  doping,- 
others  fpread  and  form  a  bafon  in  the  rock,  and  then  gufli  in  a  cata-^ 
mCk  over  its  edge.  A  poetic  fancy  might  find  full  gratification  amidfb 
thefe  wild,  and- rugged  fcenes,  if  its  ardor  be  not  checked  by  the  fa- 
tigue of  .the  afiproach;.  almofb  every  thing  in  nature  which  can  be 
fuppofcd  capable  of  infpiring  ideas  of  the  fublime  and  beautiful  is 
here  realifed;  aged  mountains,  fiupendous  elevations,  rolling  cloudsj^ 
impending  rocks,  verdant  .woods,  cbrylhil  fireame,  the  gentle  rill^ 
and  tbe/Toaring  torreiit,  all  confpire  to  amaze,  to  ibothe,  and  to  en^ 
wpture.  .  .  '     -  '_      ; 

On  the  weflern  part  of  thefe  mountains  is  a  pais,  common^! 
called  The  Notch,  wluch,:in  the  narrowefl  .part,  .metres  hut 
twenty-two  feet,  between  two  perpendicular  iocks»  From  the  height 
above  it  a  biook  defcends,  and  meanders  through  a  meadow,  foi^ 
Bierly  a  beaver  pond-  It  isfurroUnded  by  rbcks,  which  on  one  fide 
are  perpendicular,  and  on  the  others  rife  in'ad  angle  of  forty-five 
degrees — a  ftrikingl^  picturefque  fcene  !  This  defille  w^s. known  tQ 
the  Indians,  who  formerly  led  ()ieir.c^ptiTes  thrpu^  it  to  Canada  r 

3  but 


or  Kfl\<r-HAMPSHlkE*  73 

tuft  it  had  been  forgotten  or  neglcdted  till  the  year  177I9  when  two 
Kunten  pafled  through  it,  nbd  Irom  their  report  th^  proprietors  of 
bods  on  the  northern  parts  of  Connedticut  river  formed  the  plan 
x>{  a  road  through  it  to  the  Upper  Cohos,  from  which  it  is  diftaTit 
Vpesxty-dvt  miles.    Along  the  eaftern  fiide  of  the  meadow,  undef 
tile  perpendicular  rock,  is  a  canfeway  of  large  logs  funk  into  the 
mud  by  rocks  blown  with  gunpowder  fron^  the  mountain.     On  this 
foundation  is  conftrudted  a  road,  which  pkff^s  through  the  narrow 
defile  at  the  fouth  end  of  the  meadow^  leaving  a  palliage  for  the  ri- 
vulet which  glides  along  the  weflern  fide.    This  rivulet  is  the  head 
of  the  river  Saco ;  and  on  the  north  fide  of  the  meadow,  at  a  little 
diftance,  is  another  brook,  which  is  the  head  of  Amonooiuck,  a 
large  branch  of  Connecticut  river.    The  latitude  of  this  place  is 
4o»i2'N. 

The  rivulet  whicli  gives  rife  to  Saco  deicends  towards  the  fouth, 

and  at  a  little  diflaoce  from  the  defile  its  waters  are  augmented  by 

^  fbeams  from  the  left,  one  of  which  defcends  in  a  trench  of  two 

ieet  wide,    and  is  called  the  Flume,    from  the  near  refi^mblance 

which  it  bears  to  an  artificial  flume ;  over  thefe  are  thrown  flrong 

))ridge»,  and  the  whole  conftru6lion  bf  this  road  is  firm  and  durable ; 

iirach  labour  has  been  expended  upon  ir,  and  the  nett  proceeds  of  a 

orofifcated  eftate  were  applied  to  defray  the  expence.    In  the  defcent 

the  pafs^widen^,  and  the  fh^am  increafcB ;  but  for  eight  or  ten  miles 

&)in  the  Notch,  the  mountains  on  each  fide  are  fo  near,  as-  to  leave 

**>m  only  for  the  river  and  its  intervales,  which  are  not  more  than 

kalf  a  mile  wide.     In  the  courfe  of  this  defcent  fcvcral  curious  ob- 

K&  prefent  themfelves  to  view ;  on  the  fide  of  on6  mountain  is  a 

Nedtion   refembling  a  fhelf,   on  which  fland  four  large  fquare 

'^  in  a  form  refembling  as  many  huge  folio  volumes.    In  two 

^  Hiree  places,  at  immenfe  heights,  add  perfectly  inacceffible,  ap- 

P^  rocks  of  a  white  and  red  hue,  thefurface  of  v^hich  is  polifhed^. 

'*■**  a  mirror,  by  the  conflant  trickling  of  water  over  them.    Thefe 

'^^Qg  expofed  to  the  wefl  and  fouth,  are  Capable,  in  the  night,  of 

'^^^^ding'  the  moon  and  ftar  beams  to  the  wondering  traveller  in  the^ 

^^  dark  valley  below,  and  by  the  help  of  imagination,  are'fuf* 

^ient  to  give  rife  to  the  fiction  of  carbuncles. 

To  encompafs  thefe  mountains  as  the  roads  are  laid  out,  through 
^^  eailem  and  weflern  pafics,  and  round  the  northern  fide  of  the 
^bole  duller,  it  is  neceflary  to  travel  more  than  feventy  mile6,  and 
^  ford  eight  confiderable  rivers,  befide  many  fmaller  dreams.  The 
Stance  between  the  he^idi  a6  rivers,  whjlch  puffue  fuch  dififereat 
Vot»IL  li  oourfti 


74.  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

ctJurfcs  firtm  this  immccfe  elevation,  md  which  fell  into  the  fea  ft 
many  hundred  mJIei  afunder,  is  fo  fmall,  that  a  traveller  may»  intfic 
cbiirfc  of  one  day,  drink  the  waters  of  Saco^  Amarifcoggin,  and 
Connefticut  rivcrS.  Thefe  waters  are  all  perfe<Elly  limpid  and  fwect, 
excepting  one  brook  on  the  eaftern  fide  of  Mownt  Waftiington, 
which  has  a  fnpoiiaceOus  tafte,  and  is  covered  with  a  very  thkk  artd 
ftfong  ftoth.  It  is  fatd^  that  thtfre  is  a  part  of  the  mountain  wher^ 
the  tnagiietic  needle  refufes  to  traverfe ;  this  is  probably  caufed  by  a 
body  of  iron  ore.  It  is  alfo  faid,  that  a  mineral,  fuppofed  to  be  lead, 
has  been  difcovered  near  the  e^ftem  pafs,  but  that  fpot  cannot  now 
be  found.  What  (lores  the  bowels  of  the  mountains  contain,  time 
ititift  utifold  *  all  fearches  for  fubterraheous  treafures  having  hithert* 
jlroved  fruitlefs.  The  moft  certain  riches  which  they  yield  are  tl^ 
frcfhets,  which  bring  down  the  foil  to  the  intervales  below,  and  for^ 
a  fine  mould,  producing,  by  the  aid  of  cultivation,  com  and  herba^ 
in  the  moft  luxuriant  plenty. 

Nature  has  formed  fuch  a  connection  between  mountains  an 
livers,  that  in  defcribing  one,  we  are  unavoidably  led  to  fpeak  of  tli 
dtheh 

New-tlampfliire  is  fo  fitiiatcd,  that  fire  of  the  largeft  rivers  i/ 
New-England,  either  take  their  rife  within  its  limits,  or  receive  muc^ 
of  their  water  from  its  mountains.  Thefe  are  the  Conne^icut- 
Amarifcoggtn,  Saco^  Merrimack,  and  Pafcataqua.  Thefe  have  beeti 
before  noticed  in  our  general  view  of  New-England  ;  wc  fhall,  there* 
fore^  only  add  foch  obfervatiofls  to  what  has  been  already  faid  con- 
cerning them  as  immediately  refpe<!t  this  State. 

A  large  bratich  of  the  SacOj  called  Ellis  river,  fifes  at  the  caftem 
pafs  of  the  White  Mountains,  where  aUb  originates  Peabody  river, 
a  branch  of  Amarifcoggin#  The  fountain  heads  of  thefe  two  rivers 
are  fo  near,  that  a  man  nwy  fet  his  foot  in  one  and  reach  with  his 
hand  to  the  othef.  In  lefs  than  half  a  mile  fouthwafd  from  this 
fountain,  a  large  ftream  which  runs  down  the  higheft  of  the  White 
Mountains  falls  into  Ellis  riVer,  and  in  about  the  fame  diftance  from 
this  another  falls  from  the  fame  mountain ;  the  former  of  thoft 
flreams  is  Cmler's  river,  the  latter  New  river.  The  New  river  firfl 
made  its  appearance  during  a  long  rain  in  October,  1775;  it  bon 
down  many  rocks  and  trees,  forming  a  fcene  of  ruin  for  a  long 
coiirfe  :  it  has  ever  fincebeen  a  conflant  ftream,  and  where  it  falls  intc 
Ellis  river,  prefcnts  to  vie^  a  noble  cafcade  of  about  one  hundrec 
feet,  above  which  it  is  divided  into  three  ftreams,  which  iflue  out  d 
.  the  bowels  of  the  mountain*    Several  other  branches  of  Saco  rtvei 

•         »  •    feli 


OF    NEW-HAMPSHIRE.  75 

fall  from  different  parts  of  this  immenfc  clufter  of  mountains,  and 
unite  about  twelve  or  fifteen  miles  from  the  fourc«,  at  the  plain  of 
Pigtvacket. 

•  Winipifeogee  river  comes  from  the  lake  of  that  name,  and  unites 
its  waters  with  Pemigewallet,  at  the  lower  end  of  Sanborntown. 
From  this  junftion,  the  confluent  flrcam  bears  the  name  of  Merri- 
mack to  the  fea. 

In  its  courfc  through  New-Hampfliirc,  it  paflcs  over  feveral  falls, 
the  moft  bcauriful  of  which  is  called  the  iflc  of  Hookfet,  but  the 
grandefl  is  Amufceag.  Hookfet  is  about  eight  miles  below  the  town 
of  Concord ;  the  defcent  of  the  water  19  not  more  than  fifteen  fc«t 

« 

perpendicular  in  thirty  rods ;  a  high  rock  divides  the  dream,  and  a 
finaller  rock  lies  between  that  and  the  weftera  fhore.  From  an  emi- 
nence on  the  weftem  fide  there  is  a  delightful  landscape  ;  the  water 
above  and  below  the  fall,  the  verdant  banks,  the  cultivated  fields,  and 
thcdiftant  hills  in  the  back  ground,  form  a  pifturefque  fcene,  which 
*wlievc8  the  eye  of  the  travclUr  from  the  dull  uniformity  o{  a  road 
through  the  woods. 

'  Eight  miles  below  Hookfet  lies  Amulkeag  fall ;  it  confifts  of  three 
«nge  pitches  one  below  the  other,  and  the  water  is  fuppofcd  to  fail 
■about  eighty  feet  in  the  courfe  of  half  k  mile.  The  river  here  is 
fe  crooked  that  the  whole  of  the  fall  cannot  be  viewed  at  once, 
though  the  fecond  pitch,  which  may  be  feen  from  the  road,  on  the 
veftem  fidej  appears  truly  majeftic.  In  the  middle  of  the  upper  part 
<>fthe  fell,  is  a  high,  rocky  ifland,  on  fome  part  of  which  are  feveral 
^les  of  various  depths,  made  by  the  circular  motion  of  finall  Hones, 
*^pelled  by  the  force  of  the  defcending  water.* 

At  Walpole  are  thofe  remarkable  fiiUs  in  Conne^icut  river,  f 
*iiich  we  have  before  noticed,  formerly  known  by  the  name  of  theJ 
Great  Falls;  the  depth  of  the  water  is  not  known,  nor  have  the 

Thp  folioiying  account  qf  thefe  caviti<j$  was  forn^crly  fcnt  to  the  Royal  Society, 
*"^Pf»ntcd  in  their  Philofophical  TranHidlions,  vol.  xxix.  p.  70. 

"  A  little  above  one  of  the  falls  of  this  river,  at  a  place  called  Amuflceng,  is  a  huge 
'^^  in  the  midft  of  the  ftrcam,  on  the  top  of  which  are  a  great  number  of  pits,  made 
"»ftly  round,  like  barrels  or  hoglbeads  of  difermt  capacities,  fome  of  which  are  capable 
"nol^j^g  feveral  tuns.  The  natives  know  nothing  of  the  making  of  them  ;  but  the 
P^hV>ouriug  Indians  ufcc)  to  hide  their  provifions  here  in  the  wars  with  the  M;  qua?, 
*^^»ng,  that  God  had  cut  them  out  for  that  pujyofcj  but  they  fecm  plainly  to  be 
trtiacial." 

+  Tbefe  fells  Have  been  dcfcribed  in  the  moft  extravagant  terms  in  an  anonymoift 
P^'Uication,  entitled,  "  The  Hiftory  of  Conneaicut  ;"  and  the  defcw^tioiv  hi^  been 
M^^lMently  rcuiled  in  newfparcrs,  and  other  periodical  werlo* 


*j6  PEKERAI.  i>£SCRIPTION 

perpendicular  height  of  the  falls  been  afcertaioed ;  they  are  itvt 
jfitphesy  one  above  anotber,  in  th«  length  of  half  a  mile,  the  lai]g« 
of  which  is  that  where  the  rock  divides  the  (Iream. 

In  the  rocks  of  this  fall  are  many  cavities  like  tbofe  at  Amulkc^^ag, 
ibme  of  which  are  eighteen  inches  wide,  and  from  two  to  four  tm^  — eet 
deep.  On  the  fieep  fides  of  the  ifland  rock  hang  feveral  arro-chaf^/i^ 
{aliened  to  ladders,  and  fecured  by  a  counterpoii'e,  in  which  iiiheia    -^^P 
fit  to  catch  falmon  and  Ihad  with  dipping  nets. 

Over  this  fall^  in  the  year  1785,  a  flrong  bridge  of  timber  w»"^3^ 
.conflruded  by  Colonel  Enoch  Hale;  its  length  is  three  hundred  i^^nd 
£xty-five  feet,  and  it  is  fupported  in  the  middle  by  the  great  ro^  '^» 
The  expenfe  of  it  was  eight  hundred  pounds ;  and  by  a  law  of  M^^ 
State^  a  toll  is  coUedled  from  paflengers.  This  is  the  onlybri^-ff 
acrofs  Connecticut  river ;  but  it  is  in  contemplation  to  crcft  (^  ^^ 
thirty-fuc  miles  above,  at  the  middle  bar  of  White*river  fall,  w 
the  paiTage  for  the  water,  between  the  rocks,  is  about  one  hundc^ 
feet  wide.  This  place  is  in  the  townihip  of  Lebanon,  two  miles 
low  Dartmouth  college. 

It  would  be  endlefs  to  defcribe,  particularly,  the  numerous  Ui 
which,  in  the  mountainous  parts  of  the  country,  exhibit  a 
Tariety  of  curious  appearances,  many  of  which  have  been  reprefent^ 
in  the  language  of  fiction  and  romance.    But  there  is  one  in  Salmo 
fall  river  which,  not  for  its  magnitude,  but  for  its  iingularity,  defcnr^ 
notice;  it  is  called  the  Flume,  and  is  fituated  between  the  townihi 
of  Rochefter  and  Lebanon,    The  river  is  confined  bqtweep  t 
rocks  about  twenty-five  feet  high ;  the  breadth,  at  the  top  of 
bank,  is  not  more  than  three  rods.  The  Flume  is  about  four  rods 
length,  and  its  breadth  is  various,  not  more  in  any  part  than  two  fe 
and  a  half,  and  in  one  part  fcarcely  an  hand  breadth ;  but  here 
water  has  a  fubterraneous  pafTage. 

Mr.  Belknap,  who  vifited  this  place  in  1782,  obferves,  that  in  t 
flat  rock  there  are  divers  cavities  like  thofc  above  mentioned ;  fom. 
of  them  cylindrical,  and  others  globular ;  all  of  them  he  found  t 
contain  a  quantity  of  fmall  0ones  and  gravel,  and  in  one  of  them  wa^ 
a  large  turtle  and  feveral  frogs.    The  dimenfions  of  five  of  th 
boles  were  as  follows : 

Diameters  in  Depth  in 

feet  and  incbii,  feet  and  inches^ 

7'           o  3"            o 

3 P  4 o 

I 3  3— — o 

I o  I o 

0—4  o 4  Tte^ 


great  rcd.1 
.  law  ofi^rf] 
onlv  hues] 
o  ereJt  o'j 
^ali,  when 
'"e  hundrei 
'o  miks  be.  I 

^^ous  fail?, 
It  a  gra: 

'i  SalrnoD- 
*  de/erves,* 

P  of  ri^ 
«'o  /f-:  * 


! 


OF    NEW-HAMPSHIRE, 

-^^he  largefi  of  thefe  cavities  is  conlidcrably  higher  than  where 
vrater  now  flows,  unlefs  id  a  great  frelbct. 

From  a  fcries  of  obfer\*ations  madv;  by  James  Winthrop,  Efq 

.the  rivers  of  New-Han)pfl)ire  add  Vermont,  he  deduces  this 

clufion,  **  that  the  defcent  of  their  rivers  is  much  lefs  than  E 

pean  theories  have  fuppofed  to  l^c  iiecelTary  to  give  a  currcn 

water.    In  the  lail  hundred  and  fifty  miks  of  Connecticut  rivi 

defcends  not  more  than  two  feet  in  a  mile.     Onion  river,  for  fi 

three  miles  from  its  mouth,  fails  four  feet  in  a  mile,  and  is  cxc 

iDgly  rapid  between  the  catarafls.     Wc  may  reckon  the  fhoi 

Qiiebec  to  be  at  the  level  of  the  {t?,y  and  two  hundred  miles  i 

that  part  of  lake  Champlain,  where  the  current  begins.     The 

fcrcnce  of  elevation  will  be  three  hundred  and  foitv-two  fee 

twenty  inches  to  a  mile.     If  we  extend  our  comparifon  from  Qu 

to  the  top  of  the  Green  Mountains,  at  VV illiamllon,  the  elevi 

^Uibe  one  thoufand  fix  hundred  and  lixty-fix  feet,  and  the  dill 

*bout  three  hundred  and  twenty  miles  ;  which  is  five  feet  two  ir 

aadahalftoamile."* 

It  is  a  work  of  great  curiofiry,  but  attended  witli  much  fatigi 
^"■^cc  rivers  up  to  their  fources,  and  obfcrve  the  uniting  of  fprings 
"^vulets  to  form  thofe  ftreams  which  are  dignified  by  majcftic  na 
'^M  have  been  revered  as  deities  by  favage  and  fuperftitious  pei 
^'''ers  originate  in  mountains,  and  find  their  way  through  the 
^'^a  of  rocks  to  the  plains  below,  where  they  glide  through  na 
'^^cadows,  often  overflowing  them  with  their  frefliets,  bringing  c 
^Oi  the  upper  grounds  a  fat  flime,  and  depofiting  it  on  the  k 
^ich  renews  and  fertilizes  the  foil,  and  renders  thefe  intervale  1 
^^tcemely  valuable,  as  no  other  manure  is  needed  on  them  foK 
'■'^'^rpofcs  of  agriculture. 

There  is  an  important  remark  concerning  the  rivers  of  this 

*  America ;  and  that  is,  that  they  often  change  their  courfes, 

^^Ve  their  ancient  channels  dry.     Many  places  may  be  feen  ii 

*ldcmefs  in  this  State,  where  rivers  have  rolled  for  ages,  and  w 

^tics  are  worn  fmooth  as  on  the  fea  ftiore,  which  are  now  at  a 

^^eraWc  diftance  from  the  prefent  beds  of  the  rivers.    In  : 

^^*^es  thefe  ancient  channels  are  converted  into  ponds,  which, : 

^^ir  curved  form,  are  called  hoife-flioe  ponds ;  in  others,  the; 

^^ergrown  with  buihcs  and  trees.     Thefe  appearances  are  fre<: 

**^  the  mountainous  parts  of  the  country.    Connedicut  river,  m 


^  MS.  letter  of  James  Wiothrop,  Efc^. 


& 


•jS  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

djividcs  two  States,  has  in  fomc  places  changed  it8  eourft.  Many 
acres  have  been  thus  made  in  a  few  years,  and  the  land  ii  of  an  excel- 
lent  quality. 

There  arc  generally  two  ftrata  of  intervale  lands  on  the  borders 
of  the  large  rivers,  one  is  overflowed  every  year,  the  other,  which  h 
fevcral  feet  higher,  and  further  renioved  from  the  water,  is  ovcr- 
fiowed  only  in  very  high  frefliets.  In  fome  places  a  third  is  fbun4^ 
but  this  is  rare.  The  banks  of  the  upper  and  lower  intervales  are 
often  parallel  to  each  other,  and  when  viewed  from  the  oppofite  fide> 
appear  like  the  terraces  of  an  artificial  garden. 

Thefe  intervale  lands  are  of  various  breadths,  according  to  the 
near  or  remote  (ituation  of  the  hills.  On  Connedlicut  river  they  arc 
from  Si  quarter  of  a  mile  to  a  mile  and  a  half  on  each  fide:  in  digging 
into  them  large  found  trunks  of  trees  are  found  at  various  depths. 

•The  frefliets  are  not  equally  high  every  year.  Mafts  have  lain  in 
the  river  above  Amufkeag  fall  two  or  three  years,  waiting  for  a 
fufficiency  of  water  to  float  them  over:  they  fometimes  fall  athwart 
the  ftream  and  are  broken ;  fometimes,  in  a  narrow  paflTage,  they  are 
lodged  fo  firmly  acrofs,  as  to  be  removed  only  by  cutting ;  and  fome* 
times  they  are  fo  galled  by  the  rocks  in  their  paflage,  as  to  lefTen  their 
diameter,  and  confequently  their  value. 

Every  fpring  there  is  more  or  lefs  of  a  frefhct,  caufed  by  the 
cMblving  of  the  fnow  in  the  woo<ls  and  mountains ;  if  it  be  gradual, 
as  Tt  always  is  when  not  accelerated  by  a  heavy  rain,  no  damage  rt 
done  by  the  rifing  of  the  water. 

Immenfe  quantities  of  drift  wood  arc  brought  down  by  thefe 
frefhets,  from  which  the  inhabitants  of  the  lower  towns  contiguom 
to  the  rivers,  are  fupplied  with  fuel,  and  they  have  learned  to  be  c:^- 
tremely  dextrous  in  towing  on  fhorc  whole  trees  with  their  branchef. 
But  notw'fthftanding  their  a<^ivity,  much  efcapes  them,  and  is  driven 
out  to  fea,  and  fome  of  it  is  thrown  back  on  the  coaft. 

Saco  river  hs(s  riien  twenty-five  feet  in  a  great  frefiiet;  its  commoa 
rUe  is  ten  feet.  Fen^igewafTet  river  has  alio  been  known  to  riie 
twenty-five  feet.  Conn^6licut  river,  in  a  common  frefhet,  is  tep 
feel  higher  than  its  ufual  fummer  l^vel :  its  greatefi  elevation  dots 
not  exceed  twentv  feet. 

Winipifeogee  jak^  is  the  larged  coHe^Uon  of  water  in  New*Hamp« 
ihire:  it  is  twenty-two  miles  in  length  from  S.'£.to  N.W.  and  of 
very  unequal  breadth,  but  pp  wherq  more  than  eight  miles.  Sonoe 
very  long  necks  of  land  project  into  it,  and  it  contains  feveral  iflandsy 
large  and  ihiall.    The  mountains  which  furround  it,  give  rife  to 

oianj- 


OF    NEW-HAMPSHIRE.  79 

tnany&reams  which  flow  into  it,  and  betT^'eco  it  and  the  mountains 
a.re  federal  lefler  ponds  which  communicate  with  it.  Contiguous  to 
this  lake  are  the  townfhips  of  Mouhonborough  on  the  N.  W. ;  Tuf- 
tonborough  and  Wolfborough  on  the  N.  £• ;  Meredith  and  Gilmaa* 
t^wnondie  S.  W. ;  and  a  traA  of  land  called  the  Gore,  on  the  S.  £•. 
Yrom  the  S.  E.  extremity  of  this  lake,  called  Merry-meeting  bay,  to 
1^  the  N.W.  part,  called  Senter*harbour,  there  is  good  navigation  in 
.^  ^fummer,  and  generally  a  good  road  ih  the  winter;  the  lake  is 
^},l    frozen  about  three  months,  and  many  fleighs  and  teams,  from  tho 

circumjacent  towns,  crofs  it  on  the  ice. 
J  The  next  largeft  lake  is  Umbagog,  in  the  northern  extremity  of 
the  State «  it  is  but  little  known,  and  no  other  lurvey  has  been  made 
of  it  than  was  neceflary  for  extending  the  divifional  line  between 
Ne\^-Haroplliire  and  Maine,  in  1789.  Next  to  this,  are  Squam, 
in  the  townfliip  of  Holdemefle ;  Sunnapee,  in  the  townfliips  of 
Wcndeland  Fifhersiield;  and  Great  OlTapy,  in  the  ungranted  land 
of  the  Mafonian  purchafe.  Smaller  ponds  are  very  numerous, 
icarcely  any  town  being  without  one  or  more  ;  there  is  generally  a 
current  through  them,  but  fome  have  no  vilible  outlet ;  their  waters 
are  limpid  and  fweet. 

A  remarkable  circumftance  is  mentioned  refpefting  Mafcomy  pond, 

which  lies  partly  in  Lebanon  and  partly  in  Enfield,  and  vents  into 

Coflne^icttt  river.     It  is  about  five  miles  in  length  and  one  Xf\ 

fereadth,  its  depth  is  from  thirty  to  forty  fathoms.    The  furroqnding 

bod  bears  evident  marks  that  the  furface  of  this  pond  was  once  thirty 

or  forty  feet  higher  than  its  prcfent  level.     By  what  caufe  the  altera#. 

tipn  was.  made,  and  at  what  time,  is  unknown ;  but  appearances 

indicate  a  fudden  rupture,  there  being  no  fign  of  any  margin  between 

its  former  and  prefent  height.    About  a  mile  diflant  from  its  outlet, 

tiicre  is  a  declivity  of  rocks  forty  feet  higher  than  the  ftream  as  it 

now  runs:  by  the  fituatiou  of  thefe  rocks,  it  appears  that  they  were 

once  a  fall  over  which  the  water  flowed;  but  it  has  now  made  for 

itfelf  a  very  deep  channel  through  folid  earth,  nearly  a  mile  in  lengthy 

where  it  fecms  confined  for  futurity.* 

.  In  the  townfhip  of  Atkinfon,  *♦  in  a  large  meadow,  there  is  aa 
iiland  containing  fcven  or  eight  acres,  which  was  formerly  loaded 
with  valuable  pine  timber,  and  other  forefl  wood.  When  the  meadow 
id  overflowed,  by  means  of  an  artificial  dam,  this  idand  rifes  in  the. 
fame  degree  as  the  water  rifes,  which  is  fometimes  fix  feet.  Near 
the  jniddle  of  this  ifland  is  a  fmall  pond,  which  has  been  gradually 

leOening 

^  MS.  Letter  of  the  Hob.  EUflu  Vxftic,  STc^. 


i^6  GENERAL  BESCRItTIOlt 

Uttemtig  eirer  Bnct  it  \tis  known,  and  is  now  alnx^ft  cova^d  WtH 
ytctdim.  In  this  place  a  pole  of  fifty  feet  has  diiappcfiired  withon 
finding  a  bottom :  in  the  water  of  that  pond  there  hive  been  fid 
jD  plfenty,  u'hicb,  when  the  meadoW  hath  been  fibwed,  have'appeare: 
thercj  and  when  the  water  hath  been  drawn  off,  have  been  left  on  tb 
ihcadow,  at  v^hich  time  the  ifland  fettles  to  its  lifual  fiate."* 

In  the  town  of  Rye  there  was  formerly  a  frefli  pond^  covcric 
arbont  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  (ituate  \^thin  teh  or  fifteen  ro« 
of  the  fea,  being  feparatcd  from  it  by  a  bank  of  fand.  A  comn^ 
nication  was  opened  between  this  pond  and  the  fea>  in  the  year  1 7  ■ 
by  which  means  the  frefh  water  was  drawn  off^  and  the  place  i^  j 
gnlarly  overflowed  by  the  tide,  and  yields  large  crops  of  fait  hay.j— 

Within  this  prefent  year,  1791,  a  canal  has  been  cut  through  -« 
tnarflies,  which  opens  an  inland  navigation  from  Hampton,  throua 
Salifbury,  into  Merrimack  riTcr,  for  about  eight  miles.  By  this  p^ 
fegt  loaded  boats  may  be  condu6led  with  the  utmoft  eafe  £* 
fefety. 

Another  object  on  the  face  of  this  country  worthy  of  obfervati<: 
is  the  aged  and  majeftic  appearance  of  the  foreft  trces^  of  which  tl 
BJoU  noble  is  the  maft  pine.  This  tree  often  grows  to  the  heig- 
<rf orre  hundred  and  fift}^  and  fometimes  two  hundred  feet;  it 
ftraight  as  an  arrow,  and  has  no  branches  but  very  near  the  top  ; 
fe  from  twenty  to  forty  inches  in  diameter  at  its  bafe,  and  appear 
like  a  ftately  pillar  adorned  with  a  verdant  capital  in  form  of  a  cone 
Interfpcrfcd  among  thefe  are  the  common  foreft  trees  of  variou 
kinds,  whofe  height  is  generally  about  fixty  or  eighty  feet;  Ii 
fwamps^  And  near  rivers,  tliereis  a  thick  growth  of  underwood,  whici 
renders  travelling  difficult :  on  high  land  it  is  not  fo  troublefome 
and  oti  dtf  plains  it  is  quite^  inconiiderable. 

Amidft  thefe  wild  and  rugged  fcenes,  ft  is  pleafing  to  obfervc  th 
luxuriant  fportittgs  of  nature :  trees  are  fe^n  growing  on  a  nake< 
joek ;  thei^  fOots  either  pen^rate  fome  of  its  crevices,  or  run  ovc 
ks  f^ti-facs^  and  fh6pt  ii¥to  the  grotind*  When  a  tree  is  contiguous  t< 
a  fmall  rock,  its  bark  will  frequdt>rly  inclbfe  and  cover  it.  Branchc 
^fcfifferent  trees,  but  of  the  fame  fpecies^  fometimes  intertwine  ani 
eiFCfi  ingraft  themfcl vei  fo  as  to  grow  together  in  one*  On  fome  tree 
are  found  large  protuberant  warts,  capable  of  being  formed  int< 
bowitt,  which  are  very  tough  and  durable.  On  rocks,  as  well  as  01 
tress^  wt  find  varieties  of  milft;  it  ibmetimet  affunm  a  grotefqu 

appaaradce 

*  WG5.  letter  of  the  Rev.  Stephen  t^eabody. 
f  MS.  letter  of  Adr.Mn  Forttar^    . 


OF    NEW-HAMPSHIRE.  8l 

^peanncei  hatiging  in  tnfcs  like  long  hair  from  the  branches,  or 
:lofiiigthe  trunks,  or  fpreading  over  rocks  like  a  carpet,  and  ex- 
tending from  one  rock  to  another.    It  is  obierved  that  nnofs  is  thickeft 
^^1:1  the  north  fides  of  trees.    By  this  mark  the  favages  know  theif 
^oiufe  in  doudy  weather,  and  many  of  our  hunters  have  learned  of 
^^^)€m  to  trayel  without  a  compafs. 

:4l  SOIL,  PRODUCTIONS,  &c. 

^^^1  Thtre  is  a  great  variety  of  foil  in  New-Hampfliire  :  the  intervals 
7'5f  isodson  the  large  rivers  are  accounted  the  mod  valuable,  becaufe 
^  /Jl  tbcy  are  overflown  and  recruited  every  year  by  the  water  from  the 
Dplands,  which  brings  down  a  fat  (lime  or  fedinient  of  the  confidence 
of  foap.  Thefe  lands  produce  every  kind  of  grain  in  the  utmoft 
perfcdion,  but  are  not  fo  good  for  pa(hire  as  the  uplands  of  a 
proper  quality.  The  wide-fpreading  hills  of  a  moderate  elevation, 
are  generally  OHich  efteemed  as  warm  and  rich ;  rocky  mold  land 
is  accounted  good  for  paflure ;  drained  fwamps  have  a  deep  mel- 
low foil,  and  the  valleys  between  hills  are  generally  very  produr'^ive. 

In  the  new  and  uncultivated  parts,  the  foil  is  diftinguiflied  l>y  the 
various  kinds  of  woods  which  grow  upon  it ;  thus :  white  oak  land 
15  hard  and  ftony,  the  undergrowth  confifting  of  brakes  and  fern ; 
diis  kind  of  foil  will  not  bear  grafs  till  it  has  been  ploughed  and  heed; 
hit  it  is  good  for  Indian  corn,  and  rhuft  be  fubdiied  by  planting  be- 
fore It  can  be  converted  into  mowing  or  paHurc.     The  fame  may  be 
tad  of  chefnut  land. 

Pitch  pine  land  is  dry  and  fandy;  it  will  b^^ar  corn  and  tye  with 
ploughing,  but  is  foon  worn  out^  and  needs  to  lie  fallow  two  or  three 
ytan  to  recruit. 

White  pine  land  is  alfo  light  and  dry»  but  has  a  deeper  foil,  and  is 
of  courfe  better;  both  thefe  kinds  of  land  bear  brakes  and  fern;  and 
wherever  thefe  grow  in  large  quantities,  it  is  an  indication  that 
ploughing  is  neceffary  to  prepare  the  land  for  grafs. 

Spruce  and  hemlock,  in  the  eaftern  parts  of  the  St^te<  denote  a 
thiny  cold  foil,  which,  after  much  labour  in  the  clearing,  will,  indeed, 
bear  grafs  without  ploughing,  but  the  crops  are  fmall,  and  there  is  a 
natural  tough  fward,  commonly  called  a  rug,  which  mufl  either  rot 
or  be  burned  before  any  cultivation  can  be  made.  But  in  the  wefteni 
paitB,  the  fpruce  and  Jiemlock^  with  a  mixtuie  of  birch^  denote  A 
moift  foil,-  whicl^  is  exceUeat  for  grafts 

Vol.  Ua  M  When 


V 


82  GENERAL   DESCRIPTION 

When  the  white  pine  and  the  oil-nut  are  found  in  the  iame  laacf^^ 
it  is  conHiK)nl7  a  deep  moifl  loam,  and  is  accounted  very  rich  an<& 
profitable. 

Beech  and  maple  land  is  generally  efteemed  the  mod  eafy  and  a^-^ 
tantageous  for  cultivationy  as  it  is  a  warm,  rich,  loamy  foil,  whi^g^ 
eafily  takes  grafs,  corn,  and  grain  without  ploughing ;  and  not  om^k 
bears  good  crops  the  firft  year,  but  turns  immediately  to  mowing  -^jjd 
padure;  that  foil  which  is  deeped  and  of  the  darked  colour,  is 
efleemed  the  bed. 

Black  and  yellow  birch,  white  afli,  elm,  and  alder,  are  indications 
of  good  foil,  deep,  rich,  and  moid,  which  will  admit  grafs  and  grain 
without  ploughing. 

:  Red  oak  and  white  birch  are  figns  of  drong  land,  and  generally  . 
the  ttrength  of  land  is  judged  of  by  the  largenefs  of  the  trees  whicl^ 
it  produces. 

Th^re  are  evident  figns  of  a  change  in  the  growth  on  the  fam^ 
foil  in  ^  courfe.of  time,  for  which  no  caufes  can  be  adigned. 
A)me  places,  the  old  danding  trees,  and  the  fallen  decayed  trees,  a 
pear  to  be  the  fame,  whild  the  mod  thriving  trees  are  of  a  differe^=^ 
Jcind :  for  indance,  the  old  growth  in  fome  places  is  red  oak, 
white  afii,  whild  the  other  trees  are  beech  and  maple,  without 
young  oak  or  adi  among  them.  It  is  probable  that  the  growth 
thus  changed  in  many  places ;  the  only  conclufion  which  can 
drawn. from  this  circumdance,  is,  that  the  fame  foil  is  capable ^=^ 
bearing  divers  kinds  of  trees ;  but  dill  there  is  a  diflference  fuiHeie^^ 
to  denominate  the  foil  from  the  growth. 

Several  ways  of  railing  a  crop  on  new  land  have  been  praftife^^ 
The  eafied  and  cheaped  method  was  originally  learned  of  the  Indian  ^; 
who  never  looked  very  far  forward  in  their  improvements.     Tt^c 
method  is  that  of  girdling  the  .trees  ;  which  is  done  by  making  a  cir^ 
cular  incifion  through  the  bark,  and  leaving  them  to  die  danding,— 
This  operation  is  perfonned  in  the  fummer,  and  the  ground  is  fowed 
in  Augud  with  winter-rye,  intermixed  with  grafs;  the  next  year 
the  trees  do  not  put  forth  leaves,  and  the  land  having  yielded  ^  crop^ 
becomes  fit -for  pafture.    This  method  helps  poor  fettlers  a  little 
the  fird  year ;  but  the  inconvenience  of  it  is,  that  if  the  trees  are  left 
Handing;  they  are  continually  breaking  and  falling  with  the  wind, 
which  endangers  the  lives  of  cattle  ;  and  the  ground  being  cgndantly 
cocumbered  by  the  falling  treeS|  U  lefs  fit  for  mowing  i  fo  ilioi  if  the 

labour 


OF   NEW-HAMPSHIRE,  Sj 

hbourbe  not  effef^ually  done  at  once,  it  mufl:  be  done  in  a  Aicceffion  , 
of  dfne. 

In  the  intervale  land  on  Conne^icut  river,  wheat  often  yields 
forty,  and  fometimes  fifty  bufliels  to  the  acre  ;  but  in  common  up* 
land,  if  it  produce  twenty  bufhels,  it  is  reckoned  profitable,  though 
it  often  falls  Ihort  of  that,  Indian  corn  will  fometimes  average  thirty 
or  forty,  but  it  is  to  be  obferved  that  this  latter  grain  docs  not  pro- 
duce fo  largely,  nor  is  the  grain  fo  heavy  on  new  as  on  the  old  lands 
well  cultivated.  This,  however,  is  owing  much  to  the  latcncfs  of 
the  feafon  in  which  it  is  planted  ;  if  planted  as  early  on  the  newly 
burnt  land  as  on  the  old,  it  will  be  nearly  as  good.  Of  all  grains, 
winter  rye  thrives  beft  on  new  lands,  and  Indian  com  or  barley  on  the 
old.  Barley  does  not  fucceed  well  in  the  new  land,  nor  is  flax  raifcd 
with  any  advantage,  until  the  land  has  been  cultivated  for  fome 
years.  The  fame  may  be  faid  of  oats  and  peas,  but  all  kinds  of 
rfculent  roots  are  much  larger  and  fwccter  in  the  virgin  foil  than  in 
any  other. 

The  mode  of  clearing  and  cultivating  new  lands  has  been  much 

unproved  within  the  laft   thirty  years.     Forty  years  ago  it  was 

tteught  impoffible  to  raife  Indian  com  without  the  plough  and  the 

hoc.   The  mode  of  planting  it  among  the  burnt  logs,  was  pra£ti- 

fcd  with  great  fuccefs  at  Gilmantown,  about  the  year  1 762,  and  this 

ttfy  method  of  cultivating  foon  became  univerfal  in  the  new  planta- 

lions.    It  is  now  accounted  more  profitable  for  a  young  man  to  go 

«pon  new,  than  to  remain  on  the  old  lands.    In  the  early  part  of 

fife,  every  day's  labour  employed  in  fubduing  the  wildcrnefs,  lays 

*  foundation  for  fiiture  profit :  befides  the  mode  oF  fubduing  new 

'■ri,  there  has  been  no  improvement  made  in  the  art  of  hufbandry, 

IKie  feafon  of  vegetation  is  (hort,   and  is  almoft  wholly  employed 

^  preparing,  planting,  and  tilling  the  land,  in  cutting  and  houfing 

^dcr,  and  gathering  in  the  crops.  Thefe  labours  fucceed  irtvs^riably, 

«nd  muft  be  attended  to  in  their  proper  feafon ;  fo  that  little  time 

can  be  fpared  for  experiments,  if  the  people  in  general  were  difpo- 

fed  to  make  them.    Indeed,  fo  fudden  is  the  fucceffion  of  labours^ 

that  upon  any  irregularity  in  the  weather,  they  run  into  one  another, 

and,  if  help  be  fcarce,  one  cannot  be  completed  before  the  other 

fuffers  for  want  of  being  done.     Thus  hay  is  often  fpoiled  for  want 

of  being  cut  in  feafon,  when  the   harveft  is  plentiful.    It  is  partly 

from   this   caufe,     partly    from   the   ideas  of   EQpAtXTY  with 

fiklA  tdo  minds  pf  hufbandmen  are  early  impireiTedi  and  partly 

M  %  from 


84  QENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

from  a  want  of  education,  that  no  fpirit  of  invprovement  is  ftcq  j 
among  rhem,  but  every  one  purines  the  bufinefs  of  fowirlg,  phant-^. 
ing,  nrxwingv  and  raifing  cattle,  with  um emitting  iabourandiuide-^ 
viatiag  uniformity. 

Very  litt  e  ufc  is  made  of  any  manure  except- bam  dung,  thoui 
marl  njay  be  had  'in  maiy  places,  with  or  witliout  digging, 
pdixiug   of  different  fl  ata   is    never  attended  to,    though  nat 
often  ^ives  ihc  hint  by  the  rain  bringing  down  faad  from  a  ^srnj. 
on  a  f!ay  bottom,  and  the  grafs  •  growing  there  in  greater  bea^^ar/ 
and  luxuriance  than  elfewhere.      Dung   is  ieldom  TufFered  to    re« 
main  in  heap  over  the  fummer,  but  is  taken  every  fpruig  from  tb^ 
barn,  and  either  fpread  over  the  field  and  ploughed  in,  or  laid  ici 
heaps,  and  put  into  the  holes  where  corn  and  potatoes  are  planted. 
.    Gardens  in  the  country  towns  are  chiefly  left  to  the  raanagemcixii 
of  women,  the  men  contenting  thenalelve's  with  fencing  and  di 
ging  them  ;  and  it  mull  be  laid,  to  the  honour  of  the  female  fe; 
that  the  fcanty  portion  of  earth  committed  to  their  care,  is  often  Wii^lW 
produ(!^ive  of  no  finall  benefit  to  their  families. 

As  the  firil  iniiabitants  of  NewHamplhire  came  chiefly- from  th-^ 
fouth-weftern  counties  of  England,  where  cyder,  and  perry  were  nijjd  -^ 
jn  ^rvat  quantities,  they  took  care  to  flrack  their  plantations  witT  - 
apple  trees  and  pear  trees,  which  throve  well,  and  grew  to-^  gw^^ 
iize.  The  firfl  growth  is  now  decayed  or  periflied,  but  a  fuccefficr"* 
jbas  been  preferved,  and  no  good  huibandman  thinks  his  farm  sbtC^ 
plete  without  an  orchard.  Perry  is  flill  made  in  the  old. towns,  bor 
4ering  on  Pafcataqua  river,  but  in  the  interior  country  the  apple  tre  ^ 
js  chiefly  cultivated.  Jn  many  t>f  ■  the  townfhips  which  have  bee^^ 
fettled  fioce  the  conqueft  of  Canada,  young  orchards  bear  vycll,  ani^^ 
cyder  is  ycailybeconE)ing  piore  plentiful. 

Other  fryits  are  not  much  cultivated ;  but  from  the  ipecimeo^ 
which  fome  gardens  produce,  there  is  no  dpubt  but  that  the  cherry , 
the  mulberry,  the  plum,  and  the  quince,  might  be  multiplied  to  apy 
degree.  •  The  peach  does  not  thrive  well,  the  trees  being  very  ibort« 
lived.  The  apricot  is  fcarcely  known.  /  The  whLte  and  red,  currant 
.grow  luxuriantly,  if  properly  fituatcd  and  culthrated*  The.  barberry, 
though  an  exotic,  is  thoroughly  naturalized,  and  grows  fpontanecufly 
in  hedges  or  paftures. 

It  has  often  been  in  this  State  a  fubje^  of  conflpkint,  that^graijo, 
4ax  and  efculent  vegetables,,  degenerates  This  maybe^rfiqribed.to' 
the  feed  not  being  changed,  but  fown  fucceflively  oa  the,  £inK  foil, 

'^  '     ■     :    '  or. 


.     OF    NEW-HAMPSHIRE.  85 

in  the  fame  neighbourhood,  for  too  long  a  time.    *^  The  Siberiao 

heat  for  feveral  years  produced  good  crops ;    but  becoming  at 

length  naturalized  to  the  climate,  it  ihared  the  fate  of  the  commoa 

Ifccind  of  wheat,    and  difappointcd  the  expedations  of  the  farmer* 

'Were  the  feed  renewed  every  five  or  fix  years,  by  importations  from 

3iberia,    it  might  be  cuhivated  to  advantage."      Jt  mud  be  ob- 

ierved,  that  the  Siberian  wheat  which  was  fown  in  New-Hamp(hirc^ 

al)out  twelve  years  ago,  was  carried  from  England,  where  it  had 

been  fown  for  feveral  preceding  years.    Whether  an  intermediate 

Aage  is  favourable  to  the  tranfplantation  of  feed  from  north  to 

^ouih,  and  the  fuccefs  of  its  cultivatipn,  may  be  worthy  of  inquiry* 

Wth  refped  to  plants,  which  require  the  whole  feafon  to  grow  in,  it 

isobfer\ed,  that  *'  the  removal  of  them  from  fouth  to  north,  ought 

^3  be  by  fliort  flages  ;  in  which  cafe  they  accommodate  themfelves 

^7  infenfible  degrees  to  the  temperature  and  length  of  the  vegeta* 

(uig  term,  and  frequently  acquire  as  good  a  degree  of  perle£bion  in 

bteign  dimes  as  in  their  native  foil.    Such  are  the  refources  of  xia- 

Agriculture  is^  and  always  will  be,  the  chief  bufineis  of  the  people 

^  Ncw-Hampfliire,  if  they  attend  to  their  true  intercft.     Every  tree 

^hlch  is  cut  down  in  the  foref(,  opens  to  the  fun  a  new  fpot  of  earth, 

^hicb,  with  cultivation,  will  produce  food  for  man  and  bead.    It  i^ 

•!>]3poffible  to  conceive  what  quantities  may  be  produced  of  beef,  pork, 

button,  poultry,  wheat,  rye,  Indian  corn,  barley,  pulfe,  butter  and 

Aeefe,  articles  which  will  always  find  a  market.    Flax  and  hemp 

ttuqr  alfo  be  cultivated  to  great  advantage,  cfpecially  on  the  intervale 

lands  of  the  large  rivers.    The  barley  of  New-England  is  much  ef- 

Y^emed  in  the  middle  States,  and  the  demand  for  it  is  fo  great,  as  to 

^courage  its  cultivation  ;  it  is,  befide^,  a  kind  of  grain  which  is  not 

'^ble  tp  blail.    Hops  will  grow  on  almoft  any  foil,  and  the  labour 

^^^cnding  them  is  fo  inconfiderable,  that  there  can  be  no  excufe  for 

^^Sfedtmg  the  univer(al  cultivation  of  them.    The  confumption  of 

**^^n:i,  and  confequently  the  demand  for  them  as  an  article  of  com- 

i^^^rce,  is  conjinually  increafing. 

I'he  firft  neat  cattle  imported  from  Europe  into  New-Hampfhire, 

^^e  lent  by  Captain  John  Mafon  and  his  afTociates,  about  the  year 

?^33,  to  ftock  their  plantations,  and  to  be  employed  in  drawing  lum- 

r^t",  Thefe  cattle  lyere  of  a  large  breed,  and  a  yellow  colour,  procu* 

f^  from  Denmark*    Wbilft  the'bn&iieis  of  getting  lumber  was  the 

chief 


86  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

ducf  employment  of  the  people,  the  breeding  of  large  cattle  was  moi 
attended  to  than  it  is  now.  Calves  were  allowed  to  mn  with  tl 
tows,  and  fuck  at  their  pleafure.  Men  were  ambitious  to  be  difti- 
jntfhed  by  the  fize  and  ftrength  of  their  oxen,  Sets  were  frequent 
laid  on  the  exertions  of  their  ftrength,  and  the  prize  was  contended  I 
as  carneftly  as  the  laurel  at  the  Olympic  games.  This  ardour  is  not; 
wholly  extinguifhed  in  fome  places  j  but  as  hufbandry  hath  garr: 
^und,  lefs  attention  is  paid  to  the  ftrength,  and  more  to  the  fata 
of  cattle  for  the  market,  and  calves  are  deprived  of  jjart  of  their  j 
toral  food,  for  the  advantage  of  making  butter  and  cheefe. 

As  the  countiy  becomes  mora  and  more  cleared,    pafture 
cattle  increafes,  and  the  number  is  continually  multiplied.     Fr* 
thc  upper  parts  of  New-H(ampftiire,  great  herds  of  fat  cattle  are  dri> 
to  the  Bofton  market,  whence  the  beef  is  exported  frefli  to  No 
Scotia,  and  faked  to  the  Weft  and  Eaft -Indies, 

At  what  time  and  by  whom  the  horfe  was  firft  imported,  does  J 
appear.  No  particular  care  is  taken  by  the  people  in  general  to  i 
prove  the  breed  of  this  majeftic  and  ufeful  animal,  and  bring  it 
that  perfedHon  of  which  it  is  capable.  The  raifing  of  colts 
not  accoimted  a  profitable  part  of  hufbandry,  as  the  horfe  is  b 
little  nfed  for  draught,  and  his  flefh  is  of  no  value.  The  proportii 
of  horfes  to  neat  cattle  is  not  more  than  one  to  twenty.  Few  li^ 
and  die  on  the  plantations  where  they  are  bred ;  fome  are  exported  ' 
the  Weft-India  iflands,  but  the  moft  are  continually  (hifted  from  or 
owner  to  another,  by  means  of  a  fet  of  contemptible  wretches  calk 
liorfc-jockies* 

Aifcs  have  been  lately  introduced  into  the  country.     The  raifir 

of  mules  deferves  encouragement,  as  the  exportation  of  them  to  t) 

"  Weft-Indies  is  more  profitable  than  that  of  horfes,  and  they  may  1 

vfed  to  advantage  in  travelling  or  carrying  burthens  in  the  rouj 

\and  mountainous  parts  of  thewildemefs. 

Sheep,  goats,  and  fwine,  were  at  firft  fent  over  from  England,  1 
the  afTociates  of  Laconia.  Sheep  have  greatly  multiplied,  and  are  a 
c<>unted  the  moft  profitable  ftock  which  can  be  raifed  on  a  farm.  Tl 
♦treed  might  be  renewed  and  improved  by  importing  from  Barbar 
the  mufRon,  which  is  faid  to  be  the  parent  ftock  of  the  Europea 
and  confequently  of  the  American  fheep.  Goats  are  not  much  pr 
*  pagated,  chiefly  becaufe  it  is  difficult  to  confine  them  in  paftur< 
Swine  are  very  prolific,  and  fcarccly  a  family  is  without  them%  •  I> 


re: 


na 


iCV> 


■ 

OF    KEW-HAMPSHIRfi.  Sy 

ig  the  futnmer,  they  are  cither  fed  on  the  wafte  of  the  dairy  and 

Vitchen^  or  ringed  and  turned  into  fields  of  clover,  or  permitted  to 

xun  at  large  in  the  woods,  where  they  pick  up  nuts  and  acorns,  or 

^rub  the  roots  of  fern  ;  but  after  har\'eft  they  are  (but  up,  and  fatted 

on  Indian  corn.    The  pork  of  New-England  is  not  inferior  to  any  ia 

the  world. 

Donoeilic  poultry  of  all  kinds  are  raifed  in  great  plenty  and  per- 
fe^^ion  in  New-Hampfliire. .  In  fome  of  the  lower  towns  they  have 
a  large  breed  of  dunghill  fowls,  which  were  exported  from  England 
ibout  twenty  years  paft ;  but  tiiis  breed  is  permitted  to  mix  with 
the  common  fort,  by  which  means  it  will,  in  time,  degenerate.  The 
ock  of  all  domeftic  animals  ought  frequently  to  be  changed,  if  it  is 
tHe  wi(h  to  preferve  them  unimpaired,  or  reflorc  them  to  their  ori- 
ginal perfe^ion. 


oi:- 

S'-" 
Dili  J 
:.  u 

15   t- 


CAVERNS,   STONES,   FOSSILS,   AND  MINERALS. 

Among  the  many  rocky  mountains  and  precipices,  feme  openings 
appear,  which  arc  generally  fuppofcd  to  be  the  haunts  of  bears  and 
ratile-fiiakes,  and  are  rather  objefts  of  dread  than  of  curiofity.  A  par- 
ticular defcription  of  one  of  thefe  caverns  in  the  townQiip  of  Chefter, 
^y  Peter  French,  an  ingenious  young  gentleman,  dcceafed,  fliall  be 
Ei'eii  in  his  own  words. 

'*  At  about  five  miles  diflance  from  Chefter  mceting-houfe,  and 
*^  near  the  road  leading  to  Concord,  is  an  •eminence  called  Rattle- 
*3fcc  Hill.  Its  bafe  is  nearly  circular,  and  about  half  a  mile  in 
^Jtieter.  It  is  very  rugged,  efpecially  on  the  fouthern  fide,  where 
7r/I  **  almofl  perpendicular,  and  its  fummit  frowns  tremendous,  about 
^U*  hundred  feet  high.  In  this  fide,  at  the  height  of  ten  yards,  is 
feF  **^  -Aperture  in  the  rocks,  of  about  five  feet  high,  and  twenty  inches 
^^lid,  which  is  the  entrance  to  what  is  called  the  Devil's  Den,  con- 


t]ing>  which,  many  frightful  ftories  are  told,  to  increafe  the  ter- 

,     -^^of  the  evening,  among  the  children  of  the  neighbouring  vil* 

..    ^^es ;  and,  indeed,  I  have  obferved  the  eyes  of  men  allume  a  pecu* 

.  ^-^  brightnefs,  while  recounting  the  imaginary  dangers  which  they 

d  there  fortunately  efcaped. 

**  This  entrance  is  about  fix  feet  long,  it  then  contracts  its  height 

two  feet  and  a  half,   and  difplays  its  breadth  horizontally  on 

t  rights  fifteen  feet,  where  it  is  irregularly  loft  among  the  contigu* 

^8  rocks.    This  form  of  the  cavity  continues  about  ten  feet,  whea 


88  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

it  fnddenly'  becomes  about  eight  feet  high,  aud  three  wide,  t 
fides  nearly  perpendicular,  continuing  thus  about  nine  feet.  In 
midway  of  which,  on  the  fame  plane,  and  nearly  at  right  aog 
on  the  left,  is  an  aperture  of  five  feet  high  and  four  wide,  which 
tinues  ten  or  twelve  fct^t,  where  it  is  lofl  irregularly  among 
rocks.  Oppofite  to  this,  op  the  right,  lies  a  fpacious  chamber,  par 
lei  to  the  faid  plane,  elevated  about  four  feet,  fifteen  or  twenty 
fquare,  and  about  three  feet  high,  floored  and  ceiled  by  a  regu 
rock,  from  the  upper  parr  of  which  are  dependent  many 
crefcences,  nearly  in  the  form  of  a  pear,  feme  of  which  are  more  th 
an  inch  long ;  but  there  is  a  much  greater  number  of  every  poffil 
inferior  fi^e  j  thefe  are  eafily  feparable  from  the  rock,  and  Icvei 
of  them  are  depofitcd  in  the  ■  mnfcum  at  Cambridge,  where  t 
arc  fhewn  for  petrified  water.  Their  colour  and  confidence 
thofe  of  a  common  flone,  but  when  approached  in  the  cave  w 
a  flambeaux,  they  throw  about  a  fparkling  luftre  of  almoft  every  h 
This  appearance  is  caufcd  by  a  large  drop  of  water,  which  haoa.  ^ 
about  the  end  of  each,  and  when  the  echo  of  its  fall  has  revcrberaC^s^ 
round  the  vault,  another  begins  to  kindle  in  fucccflion, 

'*  At  the  end  of  the  above  mentioned  nine  feet  is  a  perpendicuS  ^^ 
defcent  of  about  four  feet;  where  the  pafTage  becoming  not  mo»'^ 
thnn  eighteen  inches  wide,  but  at  leaft  fifteen  feet  high,  and  (til* 
nearly  perpendicular,  bends  gently  to  the  right  in  an  arch  of  a  v 
large  circle,  for  about  thirty  feet,  where  eight  or  nine  feet  of  tJ* 
height  falls  into  breadth,  and  all  in  feven  or  eight  feet  more  is 
among  the  rocts,  in  inconfiderable  chinks. 

"  The  general  dircftion  of  this  cave  is  nearly  north,  and  upon  0 
lifcent  of  about  three  degrees.    The  cavity  is  terminated  by  rocl^ 
on  all  fides,  fave  that  the  above-mentioned  thirty  feet  has  a  gr^ 
velly  bottom,    at  tlie  farther  end  of  which  rifcs  a  fmall  rivulctT: 
ftrongly  impregnated  with  fulphur.     Thirf  rivulet  increafes  impcr 
ceptibly  in  its  defcent  along  the  thirty  feet ;  when  it  falls  fuddcnl 
into  a  tranfverfe  chink,  about  three  inches  wide,  which  receives  \i^ 
perpendicularly  about  ten  feet,  when  the  little  fubterraneous  cafcad^ 
is  intercepted  by  (bme  thin  lip  of  a  rock,  and  thrown  about  in  quit^> 
a  merry  ftrain  for  fuch  a  folitary  manfion. 

**  The  rocks  which  wall  this  narrow  paflTage,  are  cafed  with  a  flielft 
of  a  reddifh  colour,  about  half  an  inch  thick,  vhichis  eafily  fepa^ 
wble  from  the  roek,  in  flakes  as  large  as  a  maa'«  hand.    Thefe 


01?   NEW-HAMPSHIRE*'  89 

alces  emitaftroBg'fcent  of  fulphur,  when, thrown  ioto  the  fire  ;  and 
circumflitnce  has  given  rife  to  a  conjedurc  that  fubterraneous  fires 
formerly  raged  here ;  but  whatever  truth  there  may  be  in  this 
opinion,  the  cave  is  now  exceedingly  cold,  and  a  more  gloomy  fitua- 
^ion  is  fcarcely  imaginable*" 

In  the  town  of  Durham  there  is  a  rock,  which  is  computed  to 
X>yeigh  fixty  or  feventy  tons.     It  lies  fo  exactly  poifed  on  another 
rocV,  as  to  be  eafily  moved  by  one  finger.     It  is  on  the  top  of  a  hill, 
^nd  its  fituation  appears  to  be  natural.     Many  other  Angular  ap- 
pearances among  the  rocks  and  mountains  attmft  the  attention  of  the 
^^urious,  and  ferve  as  objefls  of  amazement  to  the  uninformed. 
Of  the  different  kinds  of  earths  and  clavs  which  are  found  in 

0 

New-Hampfliirf,  it  would  be  endlefs  to  give  an  account.  The 
I  bwTjs  of  Exeter,  Newmarket,  Durham  and  Dover,  abound  in 
^'ays.  The  fame  may  be  faid  of  feveral  towns  on  Conne<51iGUt  river. 
^  many  of  the  new  townfhips,  clay  does  not  appear  till  after  the 
^*rth  has  been  opened  and  cultivated.  -  Maries,  though  found  in 
ff^cat  plenty  in  fome  places,  are  feldom  ufed  ;  immenfe  treafures  of 
^U  precious  manure  will  be  referved  for  future  generations. 

Bed  and  yellow  ochres  are  found  in  Scmmerfworth,  Chcfler- 
^^H  Rindgf  and  Jaffrey.  It  is  obfervable  that  in  feveral  places,  a 
**ratum  of  yellow  is  found  under  one  of  red  ochre,  without  any  in- 
^rvening  fubftance  :  thefe  have  been  purified  and  ufed  with  fuccefs 
^  painting. 

AtOrford,  on  Conncdicut  river,  is  found  the  fo:ip-rock,  Steatites. 

^^  has  the  property  of  fuller's  earth  in  cleanfing  cloths ;  it  is  of  a  con- 

•fence  between  earth  and  ftone  ;  it  may  be  fawn  or  cut  with  carpen- 

^8  tools  into  any  form  whatever.     To  determine  its  capacity  of  cn- 

^'^^g  heat,  Mr.  Belknap  carefully  meafured  and  weighed  a  piece 

't;  and  having  kept  it  for  one  hour  in  a  glowing  fire  of  coals, 

^^  cooled  it  gradually,  he  found  itj  fize  was  not -in  the  leafl  dimi- 

^^hed;  it  loft  a  fixty-fifth  part  of  its  weight ;  it  was  evidently  cracked, 

"^^   was  eafily  broken  by  the  hand ;  it  was  equally  fofc  as  before, 

^  as  capable  of  being  cut  or  fcraped  ;  its  colour  was  changed  from 

'ght^grey  to  a  micaceous  yellow.    The  piece  on  which  this  experi* 

^^twas  made,  weighed  between  feven  and  eight  ounces. 

in  Various  parts  of  the  country  is  found  that  tranfparent  fuhftance 

*^ich  is  commonly  called  ifing-glafs,     Lapis    fpeculavis.      It  is  a 

I^^ies  of  talc,*  and  is  found  adhering  to  rocks  of  while  or  yellow 

^^arte,    and  lying  in  lamina:y    like  Iheets  of  paper;    moft  of   it 

Vol.  II.  N  is 


^d  C^NErAl    DESCRIPTlOff 

h  white,  fome  is  yellow,  and  feme  has  a  purple  hue.    The  larg^sif 
leaves  of  this  curious  fubflance  are  found  in  a  mountain,  in  tL^0 
townlhip  of  Graftoni    about  twenty  miles  eadward  of  DartmoL^ttb 
College*    It  was  firft  difcovered  in  the  following  manner:  a  hvzmn-' 
ter  took  (lielter  for  the  night  in  a  cavern  of  the  mountain,  and  in  ^he 
morning   found    himfelf   furrounded    with    this    tranfparent  Tvib* 
fiance ;  a  large  leaf  of  which  he  faftened  to  the  branch  of  a  tree 
near  the  cave,  as  a  mark  by  which  he  might  again  find  the  places 
This  happened  during  the  late  war,  when  window-glafs  could  not 
be  imported.     The  fcarcity  of  that  convenient  article  brought  the    j 
talc  into  repute.     Many  perfons  employed  their  time  in  blowingr    \ 
the  rocks,  feparating  the  laminae,   cutting  them  into  fquares,  ao^ 
▼ending  them  about  the  country.     This  fubftance  is  particularly 
taluable  for  the  windows  of  fhips,  as  it  is  not  brittle,  but  elaftic,  a»^ 
will  ftand  the  explolion  of  cannon.   It  is  alfo  ufed  to  cover  miniatur*^ 
paintings,  and  to  preferve  minute  objects  for  the  microfcope.    Tl»-^ 
difadvantage  of  it  for  windows  is,  that  it  contracts  duli:,  and  is  nO* 
eafily  cleaned;,  but  for  lanterns  it  is  preferable  to  glafs. 

Chryftals  and  chryftalline  fpars  have  been  found  at  Northwooc^^ 
Rindge  and  Conway.  They  are  of  various  fixes,  generally  hexago-^ 
nal,  and  terminating  in  a  point.  The  largeft  which  has  fallen  und^*^ 
our  knowledge  was  found  at  Conway ;  it  was  fix  inches  in  lengtH^ 
eight  in  circumference,  and  weighed  thirty- two  ounces,  but  it  w^* 
not  throughout  pellucid. 

AUum  ore  has  been  found  it  Barrington,  Orford  and  JafFrcy 
vitriol  at  JafFrey,  Brentwood  and  Rindge :  it  is  generally  combined  in 
the  fame  ilone  with  fulphur,  Thofe  ftones  which  have  been  feen  ar# 
flielly,  and  the  vitriol  exudes  at  the  filTures,  Mr^  Belknap  has  one 
which  has  been  kept  perfedUy  dry  for  above  twelve  years,  and  it 
produces  the  white  efflorefcence  as  plentifully  as  ever.  It  was 
taken  from  Lebanon  in  the  county  of  York,  where  there  was  aii 
immenfe  quantity, 

Free-ftone  has  beefi  difcovered  at  Hanover  and  Piermont.  At  Or^ 
ford  are  many  flate  rockSj  and  a  grey  ftone,  which  may  be  wrought 
to  great  perfe£tion^  either  for  building  or  for  mill-ftones;  itisfaidtof 
be  nearly  equal  to  the  imported  burr  ftones,  and  is  in  great  d^ 
xrtiLnd. 

Iron  ore  is  found  in  many  places,  mod  cdmrhotily  in  iwarfips4 
it  generally  difcovers  itfclf  by  the  colour  and  tafte  of  the  water, 
ivhich  runs  through  it  j  and  there  are  many  fprings  in  almoft  every 

z  part 


OF    NEWrHAMPSHIRE^  ^( 

part  of  the  country  which  are  impregnated  in  different  degree^ 

with  it.  Black  lead,  plumhagOj  is  found  in  large  quantities  about 
the  grand  Monadnock,  in  the  townfliip  of  JafFrey.  In  the  fame 
neighbourhood,  fome  fmall  fpecimens  of  copper  and  lead  have 
been  feen.  There  is  alfo  an  appearance  of  copper  in  fome  rocki? 
at  Orford ;  but  no  metal  except  iron,  has  been  wrought  to  ^ny  a^y 
vantage. 

Foffil  (hells  have  been  found  near  Lamprey  river  in  Newm^fct, 
*it  the  depth  of  feventeen  feet,  and  in  fuch  a  fitution  as  that  the  bed 
pf  the  river  could  never  have  been  there.  The  lliells  were  of 
oyfters,  mufcles  and  clams,  intermixed.  Clam  fliells  have  alfq 
been  difcovered  at  the  depth  of  twenty  feet,  in  the  neighbourhoo4 
of  Dartmouth  college. 

Foffil  trees  are  fometimes  found  in  the  intervale  lands,  adjoining 
the  great  rivers. 

Mineralogy  is  a  branch  of  fcience  which  is  but  little  cultivatedf 
Men  of  ^nius  and  fcience  have  not  yet  had  Icifure  to  purfue  obje£ks 
from  which  prefent  advantages  cannot  be  drawn.  The  difappointments 
^h  have  attended  fome  expenfive  attempts  ;  the  air  of  myfteiy 
thrown  over  the  fubjedi:  by  ignorant  pretenders  ;  and  the  facility 
with  which  every  mineral  may  be  imported  from  abroad,  have  like- 
wife  difcouragf  d  inquiries.  But  from  the  fpecimens  which  have  ap- 
peared, there  can  be  no  doubt  of  the  exiftence  of  mineral  and  fof- 
/il  treafures,  in  the  fearch  of  which,  futyre  generation^  will  find  cm^ 
^ymem. 

CIVIL  DIVISIONS  AND  CHIEF  TOWNS. 

This  State  is  divided  into  fire  counties,  viz.  Rockingham,  Straf- 
Ard,  Chefhire,  Hilliborough  and  Grafton;  thefe  are  fub-divided 
into  one  hundred  and  ninety-three  townfliips,  and  thirteen  locations, 
moft  of  which  are  about  (ix  miles  fquare.  In  all  thefe  town  (hips 
1  ftiare  has  been  referved  equal  to  that  of  any  other  grantee  foe 
the  firft  fettled  minifler,  as  his  own  right,  befides  the  parfonage  lot. 
This  has  proved  a  great  encouragement  to  the  fettlement  of  minillcrs 
w  the  new  towns ;  and  where  the  choice  has  been  prudent,  many 
advantages  have  been  derived  frooi  it. 

The  chief  towns  in  this  State  are  Porlfmouth,  Exeter  and  Con-, 
cord,  in  Rockingham  county ;  Dover  and  Durham,  in  Straiford  ; 
Kceo  and  Charlefton,  in  Chefhire  ;  Amherft,  in  Hilllboreugh  ;  and 
Haverhall  and  Plymouth,  in  prafton. 

Na  PpRTSMOVTH, 


r 


gt  CEKERAL    DESCRIPTIOJT 

/  PORTSMOUTH. 

This  is  the  largeft  town  in  the  State,  its  longitude  is  70^  j^o'FronM 
the  obfervatory  at  Greenwich ;  it  is  about  two  miles  from  the  fea,  oA 
the  fouth  fide  of  Pafcataqua  river  ;  it  contains  about  fix  hundred  md. 
forty  dwelling  houfes,  and  nearly  as  many  other  buildings,  befides 
thofe  for  public  ufcs,  which  are  three  congregational  churches,  oa« 
cpifcopal,  and  one  univerfalift ;  a  ftate  houfe,  market  houfc,  foii^ 
fwhool- houfes,  and  a  work  houfe. 

Its  harbour  is  one  of  the  fineft  on  the  continent,  having  a  fufficienj 
depth  of  water  for  veflels  of  any  burthen.  It  is  defended  agaiiviS 
itorms  by  the  adjacent  land,  in  fuch  a  manner,  as  that  (hips  ina.3r 
fecurely  ride  there  in  any  feafon  of  tlie  year.  Befides,  the  harboutjT 
is  fo  well  fortified  by  nature,  that  very  little  art  will  be  neceflary 
render  it  impregnable.  Jts  vicinity  to  the  fea  renders  it  very  conr 
nient  for  naval  trade.  A  light  houfe,  with  a  fingle  light,  ftands  3.t 
the  entrance  of  the  harbour.  Ships  of  war  have  been  buUt  here  ; 
among  others,  the  America,  of  feventy-four  guns,  launched  No- 
vember, 1782,  and  prefented  to  the  King  of  France  by  the  Congrcft 
of  the  United  States. 

EXETER. 

Exeter  is  fifteen  miles  S.  VV,  from  Portfmouth,  fituated  at  the  hea4 
of  the  navigation  upon  Swamfcot,  or  Exeter  river.  The  tide  rifo 
here  eleven  feet;  it  is  well  fituated  for  a  manufacturing  town,  and  has 
already  a  duck  manufa<5lory,  in  its  infancy — fix  faw  mills,  a  fulling 
mill,  flitting  mill,  paper  mill,  fnuff  mill,  two  chocolate  and  ten  griu 
mills,  iron  works,  and  a  printing  oflice.  The  public  buildings  arc 
^two  congregational  churches,  an  academy,  a  new  and  handfbme 
court  houfe,  and  a  gaol.  The  public  offices  of  State  are  kept  here. 
Formerly  this  town  was  famous  for  Ihip  building,  but  this  bufinefs 
has  not  flouriftied  fince  its  interruption  by  the  war. 

CONCORD. 

This  is  a  pleafant,  flourifliing,  inland  town,  fituated  on  the  weil 
bank  of  Merrimack  river,  fifty-four  miles  W.  N.  W.  from  Portft. 
mouth.  The  general  court,  of  late,  have  commonly  held  their  fef*- 
fions  here ;  and  from  its  central  fituation,  and  a  thriving  back 
country,  it  will  probably  foon  become  the  permanent  feat  of  go- 
vernment.   Much  of  the  trade  of  the  upper  country  centers  in  this 

town. 

Dover, 


OF    NEW-HA^iPSH]^RE•  \j>J 

Dever,  Durham,  Amherft,  Keen,  Gharlefton,  Plymouth  ;in4 
HaverhilJ,  are  the  other  moft  conliderable  towns  in  this  State^ 
Haverhill  is  a  new,  thriving  town,  on  the  eaft  fide  ofConne^icut 
river,  in  Lower  Coos»  It  is  the  moft  confiderable  town  in  the  county 
of  Grafton,  and  has  a  well-conftru6Ved  court-houfe  and  a  congrega- 
tional church.  In  it  is  a  bed  of  iron  ore,  which  has  yielded  fome 
profit  to  the  proprietor — alfo  a  quarry  of  free  ftone,  fix)m  which  th^ 
people  are  fupplied  with  chimney  pieces,  hearth  ftones,  &c.  It 
lias  alfo  a  fulling  mill  and  an  oil  mill,  and  tx^any  other  cxcdkBf, 
mill  feats. 

POPULATION. 

Attempts  have  been  made  at  feveral  times  to  afceitaia  the  numTwr. 
of  people  in  New-Hamplhire.  The  la:e  Governor  Wcntworth  was 
ordered  by  the  Britilh  miniftry  to  take  an  exaft  furvey ;  but  **  bar- 
ing no  fund  to  pay  the  expenfe,  and  no  law  to  compel  obedience^ 
to  the  order,  he  was  fubje£led  to  the  inconvenience  of  delay  and 
di&ppointment.  The  number  of  the  people,  however,  in  1767^ 
Waseftimated  at  fifty-two  thoufand  feven  hundred.  Another  efti- 
aate  was  made  in  1774,  of  which  we  have  met  with  no  official  ac- 
count, but  have  been  informed  that  it  was  eighty-five  thoufand. 
This  was  too  high.  The  eftimatfjgivpn  to  Congrefs  by  the  delegatct 
of  Ncw-Hampfhire,  at  the  comnienqement  of  the  revolution,  was 
Mmore  extravagant.  A  furvey  taken  in  1775,  P^^''^  ^Y  enume- 
fation,  and  partly  by  eftimation,  for  the  purpofe  of  eftablidiing  aa 
adequate  reprefentation  of  the  people,  made  the  whole  number 
r    eighty-two  thouland  two  hundred. 

The  ccnfus  taken  by  order  of  Congrefs  in  1790,  is  the  moft  cor^ 
f^  account  which  has  ever  been  made^  according  to  this,  the  num- 
ttts  were  -as  follows ;  .  .  ^ 


ROCKKNTG. 


^  CENEKAL    DESCRIFTlOfI 

ROCKINGHAM  COUNTY. 


Portfmouch,    .    . 

Gofport.on  Star-IIIand, 
Greenland,  .   .   . 
Rye 

Stratham,  ,  .  , 
Hamptfin  Falts,  . 
Hampton,  ,  .  . 
Northamptoii, 
Newington,  .  . 
Newcalllc,  .  .  . 
Seabrook,  .  ,  . 
Newmarket,  .  . 
Brentwood,  .  . 
Poplin,  .... 
Londonderry, 
Soti  champ  [on, 
Plaflow,  .... 
Hampflead,  .  . 
Atkinfon,  .  .  , 
KingftoD,     .    .    . 

Newtown,  ,  . 
Eaft-Kingfton,  . 
Salem,  .... 
Kenfington,  .  . 
Deerfield,    .    .    . 

London,  .  .  . 
Pittsfield,  .  .  . 
Nonhwood,  .  . 
Epfom,  .... 
Eppbg,  .... 
Northfield,  .  . 
Canterbury,  .  . 
■Chicheiiec,  .  . 
Perobrook,  .  . 
Concord,     ■    .    . 


»38 

18+ 


■38 

109 


2487 
859 


43& 
4E6 
991 
436 

3.^3 


"57 
370 
246 


94 
"S 

87 
294 
147 
3?8 
849 
a8; 


340 


5.6 

469 
£^3 


0¥   NEW-HAMPSHIILE. 
ROCKINGHAM  COUNTY,  CONTINUED. 


9i 


TOWNS. 

•3  .; 

n 

n 

1 
1 

Is 

15 

j 

I 
1 
1    _ 

ill 

^ 

Sa« 

AJIenftown,     .... 

Chefter,       

Candia,        

Ptlham, 

Riymnnd, 

Windbam, 

'49 

494 
346 
ai6 
'77 
,56 

■J3 

447 

"73 
190 
181 
'73 

a68 

36. 
3.8 

s 

S68 
«S4 
.902 
1040 
79' 
HI 

i"48       96s4|s'J96 

293|98|    43,691 

STRATFORD    COUNTY. 

Dorer 

Sometfworth,      .    .    . 

BjKhefter, 

New-Durbam,     .    .    . 

Uidaieton,       .... 

Wolfborough,     .    .    . 

Hon!  to  11  bo  rough,    .    . 

Slndwich, 

Offipce 

Watefidd, 

Tuftonboroiigh,      .    . 
Tamworth,     .... 

Bamftcad 

/Eaton, 

/Effingham,       .... 

Ccnway,      

Ourham, 

pairing  toil,      .... 
J^adbury, 

^ew -Durham  Gore, 
Sanbortitown,      .    . 
^W-Hampton,  .    . 
^cridith,     .... 
^ilmantowD,       .    . 
Stark'sandSterling'sl 
Lccations,    ...  J 

1:? 
730 
'39 
■5' 

'£ 

86 
>S8 

z 

149 

? 
167 

'.11 

4'! 
'7' 
a47 
6,+ 

419 

2" 
740 
140 
162 

hs 
193 

7* 

1H4, 

74 

646 
1 26 
234 

iiS 
4*3 
"73 

6S2 

'3 

1004 
478 
1386 

»7S 
304 

III 
44& 

«« 
60 

126 

400 

68 
279 
634 

12.7 
295 
S26 
212 
749 
306 
4'9 

1294 

26 

S      .5,8 
'     .1?7 

.       t^? 

646 

'       111 
'       807 

«!3 
1        154 
574 
3     '247 
2470 
S9» 
1029 
44S 

■f 

89 1 

r      2613 

S' 

I 

60.1  1   .5913  1  ns,i  1  63] 

3,  »36=" 

fS  GENERA!.    DESeRIFTIOH 

CHESHIRE    COUNTY. 


^ 

M 

u 

1.- 

4 

t 

TOWNS, 

it 

e  s- 

■n 

1 

ii 

il 

'f 

J 

il 

it 

1 

i 

i 

Charkftou,      .    .    .    . 

307 

»!4 

530 

1093 

Keene,     .    .    . 

3'S 

318 

67. 

i 

■314 

Ackworih,  .    . 

";q 

ig? 

348 

704 

Alftead,   .    .    . 

add 

a»i 

558 

Cheftcrfieid,    . 

4^1 

S3a 

930 

1905 

Claremont, 

348 

39' 

6,1 

1 

'433 

Cornifli,      .    . 

238 

.58 

484 

I 

981 

CroydoH,     .    . 

IS" 

263 

537 

Dublin,    .    .    . 

2^7 

223 

446 

901 

Fitzwilllam,     . 

ass 

178 

505 

1038 

Gilfom,    .    .    . 

70 

64 

.64 

29S 

Hidfdale,     .   . 

117 

J4Z 

351 

jS2 

Jaffrey,    .    .    . 

2 

336 

603 

f 

'*3S 

Langdon,     .    . 

76 

loS 

24+ 

Lenipfier,    .    . 

95 

S07 

4'5 

Marlborough, 

'75 

».9 

39« 

786 

Marlon-,      .    . 

?.1 

80 

160 

3n 

Neivport,     .    . 

,87 

198 

390 

1 

7S0 

Packersficld,    . 

1B7 

ao8 

343 

yai 

Richmond, 

33= 

36S 

6S0 

1380 

Riiidge,   .    .    . 

^jb 

3.6 

554 

"43 

Siodtiai-t,     .    . 

■  I&Z 

■94 

344 

I 

701 

Surry,      .    .    . 

il? 

azo 

4+8 

Sullivan,      .   . 

43 

68 

■■03 

aao 

Swanzcv,     .    . 

«93 

•  87 

57' 

1  =  57 

Uni.y,      .    .    . 

»33 

■39 

.65 

538 

Walpole.     .    . 
Wafliinocon,    . 

3»7 

■335 

580 

a 

1245 

'37 

'^^ 

«73 

545 

Wendell,     -    . 

70 

aS 

Weftmoreland, 

47a 

543 

998 

I 

Winchefler,     . 

298 

3" 

595 

I 

■  309 

New-Grantham, 

go 

88 

■53 

I 

333 

Plainfidd,    .    . 

259 

»77 

486 

Proteiftworth, 

?6 

49 

104 

I 

310 

700+ 

7680 

14103 

Tg 

16 

386,3 

OF     NEW-HAMPSHIRE, 
HILLSBOROUGH    COUNTY, 


V 


az 


;bmy  Mile-flip 
tbrd,  .  ,  . 
-yiield  Gore, 

ftablel  .'  .'  ." 
inghamWcft, 
-Ipfivich,      . 

borough, 

'field. '.'.'. 
-BoftoQ,    .    . 

ker,  .  !  '. 
borough,  . 
rtielct,  .  . 
Iborough,  . 
borough  Gore, 
!brd,     ,   .   .   , 

London,     .   , 

erge  Gore, 
■ver,      .    .    ,    , 
.wen,    .    .    .    . 

jbell's  Gore,    . 

pie,'    .   .   .   . 
n,     

.inton,      .    .    , 
:efto\¥n,  .    .    . 

ing,      .    .    .    . 


«S3 
179 


3'3 
138 
269 


69 


S7<' 


''I 

146 


303 
83 

3°3 
146 


440 

16 

561 

306 

614 
393 
393 
6.+ 


448 


640 
368 
463 


1369 
169 


63a 
1064 
1.41 

8.9 

798 
■•7! 

3S7 

1»03 


64! 


747 

338 
iqs4 


938 


,'^t  GENERAI,    DESCRIPTION 

HILLSBOROUGH  COUNTY,   CONTINUED. 


11 


Hollis,     .   . 
DeiTyfield, 


8389 


GRAFTON    COUNTY. 


Haverhill,    . 
Plymouth,   , 
Alexandria, 
Bartlett,  .    , 
Baib,    .    .    , 
Bridge  water, 
BiiriOD,    , 
Cambridge, 
Campton,    , 
Canaan,    . 
Chatham,    . 
Cockburne, 
Crfckernn 
Colburne,    , 
Concord,  ali 

thwaite j 

Coventry,    .... 

DaUon 

Darlnioiiib,     .    .    . 
Dorchefler,      .    .    . 
Dumiiier,  not  inhab. 
Enfidd,  ^ilias  Relhan, 
Eriol,  not  inhabited, 


:th, 


s  Gun- 


GraftoD,       

Hanover,  including  "j 
i;z  ftudentg  at  \ 
Dart.  College,     .  J 

Kilkenny  .notinhabitedj 

Landaff,   '..'.'.'.'. 

Lebanon,     

Lincoln,       


163 

1,8 

,66 

I 

4 

141 

297 

4 

79 

87 

131 

SS 

S7 

'35 

I 

»'7 

.36 

239 

84 

'34 

I 

3t 

45 

6a 

i"3 

79 

aoi 

, 

'37 

"3 

«S3 

17 

'3 

9 

S 

la 

94 

104 

175 

6 

■3 

9" 

75 

'47 

ii 

ao 

47 

3 

4 

7 

34 

•  ! 

5» 

48 

45 

8j 

1S8 

'73 

18 

36' 
3» 

• 

99 

110 

'94 

476 

agS 

596 

8 

a 

45 

45 

7' 

7S 

'37 

375 

j8. 

« 

5 

9 

of  new-hampshire.  99 

'grafton  county,  continued. 


si 


Littlemn,  .  .  . 
i-JiTianj  ,  b  .  . 
Lyme,  .... 
Mi]fidd,  not  inhabited, 
New-Chefter, 
Nev-Holdernefs, 
Northumberland,. 
Orange,  .... 
Orford,  .... 
P«ling,  not  inhabited, 
Percy,  .... 
Piermont,  .  .  . 
Ruainey,  .  .  . 
Sbclburnc,  .  .  . 
Smiford,  .  .  . 
Succefs,  not  inhabited, 
Thornton,  .  .  . 
Trecothick,  not  inhab. 
Warren,  .  .  . 
Vertworth,    .    . 

[H.k,',,  .  . 
■  I  Dnmes's, 
o  I  Hart's,  .  . 
'»  <  Suiter's  .  . 
I S  Stark's,  .  . 
-3     Sterllnji's,  . 

LW.Ie.'s,       . 


106 
393 

'39 
ibo 

56 


18 
64 


63+0  1^1 


SUMMARY  OF  POPULATION. 


48 
4a6 


38s 


Hock ingh.wi  County,  I  11148 

Strafford  do 6011 

Chelhirc  do 7°°4 

Hilllboi-oiigh  do.     .    .  8!S5 

tirafion  do ■1768 


9654 

sq'3 


14103 
16. ;o 
6340 


360&6  I  34851  !  70160 


4931  98 
6^1  '^ 


43169 
23601 


itO  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

If  this  number  is  compared  with  the  number  in  <775,  zhAtWl 

difference  divided  by  the  number  of  intervening  years,  without  a_^ 

reference  to  the  lofs  fuilained  by.  the  war,  the  average  of  incre=^ 

will  be  three  thoufand  nine  hundred  and  eight-five  per  annum  for  -^ j 

laft  fifteen  years. 

.  This  rapid  increafe  of  population  is  partljr  natural  and  partly  arf- 
Ventitious.  The  diftindlion  between  thefe  two  caufes  is  evident  5 
but.  to  afcertain  the  precife  limits  of  their  refpe^livc  operations  i^ 
jrnpra£^icable,  without  a  more  minute  furvey  than  has  ever  yet  bee^ 
taken.  Large  emigrations  have  been  made  fince  the  peace  of  1 763  fror* 
the  neighbouring  States,  into  the  nev/  townfliips  of  New-Hamplhir^ 
Thofe  from  the  old  towns  to  the  new  have  been  alfo  very  confidcnu 
T)Jc  ;.  and  though  at  firft  view  thefe  latter  may  npt  feem  to  have  aug 
lAented  the  number  of  the  people ;  yet,  upon  a  more  clofe  attention 
of  the  fubje6l)  it  will  be  found,  that  even  in  them  there  is  a  prcs 
du^ve  caulc  of  increafe.  Where  land  is  cheap,  and  the  means  gb 
fubfiftence  may  be  acquired  in  fuch  plenty,  and  in  fo  fliort  a  time,  e 
is  evidently  the  cafe  in  the  hew  plantations,  encouragement  is  giv^ 
to  early  marriage.  A  young  man  who  has  cleared  a  piece  of  htim 
and  built  a  hut  for  his  prefent  accommodation,  foon  begins  to  expas 
rience  the  truth  of  that  old  adage.  It  is  frot  good  for  man  to  he  alof^ 
Having  a  profpeifl  of  increafing  his  fubftance  by  labour,  which  5: 
knows  himfelf  able  to  perform,  he  attaches  himfeJf  to  a  femrn^ 
earlier  than  prudence  would  didtate  if  he  had  not  fuch  a  profpe<5 
Nor  are  the  young  females  of  the  country  averfe  to  a  fettlement  5 
the  new  plantations,  where,  after  the  fecond  yearns  labour,  by  whic 
the  land  is  brought  into  paflure,  there  is  a  neceflity  for  begin ninj 
the  work  of  a  dairy,  an  employment  which  always  falls  to  theil 
lot,  and  is  an  obje^  of  their  ambition  as  well  as  intereft. 

RELIGION,  CHARACTER,  GENIUS,  &c. 

The  principal  denominations  ©f  Chriftians  in  this  State  are  Ccm* 
gregationalifls,  Baptifts,  PreibytcrianSyEpifcopalians,  and  Quakers;  of 
thefe  the  Congregatiopjalifls  are  the  moft  numerous,  as  they  are*ia 
mqft  of  the  New-England  States ;  there  is,  likewife,  a  fmall  fociety 
of  Sandemonians  and  anoth^  of  UniverfaliAs  in  Fortfmouth,  but  of 
na  great  extent. 

In  the  character  of  the  people  of  this  State,  like  the  inhabitants 
of  Vermont,  there  are  Various  fliades ;  the  revolution,  which  called 
the  democratic  power  into  a£tion,  has  reprefled  the  ariftocratic  fpirit. 
Tb«  people  enjoy  more  equal  privileges,  and,  after  a  long  diffenfioD, 

ar« 


DF    KEW-HAMPSHIR*.  lOt 

better  united.    Government  is  a  fcience^  and  reqilires  educatica 
and  information  as  well  as  judgment  and  prudence.     Indeed  there 
ws^  fome  who  have  flruggled  through  all  the  difad vantages  ariiing 
from  the  want  of  early  education,  and,  by  force  of  native  geniut 
and  induftiy,  have  acquired  thofe  qualifications  which  have  enabled 
them  to  render  eminent  fervice  to  the  community ;  and  there  ar» 
4;)thcr8  who  have  been  favoured  with  early  education,  and  have  im- 
proved their  opportunity  to  good  purpofe  ;  notwithftanding  which, 
the  deficiency  of  perfons  qualified  for  the  various  departments  ia 
government  has  been  much  regretted,  and  by  none  more  than  bjr 
thofe  i'tWj  who  know  how  public  bufinefs  ought  to  be  condu^ied  | 
this  deficiency  is  daily  decreafing  j  the  means  of  knowledge  are  ex- 
uding ;  prejudices  are  wearing  away,  and  the  political  chara^er  of 
the  people  is  manifeftly  improving. 

But  however  late  the  inhabitants  of  New-Hampihire  may  be  ia 
political  improvement,  yet  they  have  long  pofleiTed  other  valuable 
qualities,  which  have  rendered  them  an  important  branch  of  th« 
American  union  ;  firmnefs,  patience  in  fatigue,  intrepidity  in  dart- 
er, and  alertncfs  in  a6tion,  arc  to  be  numbered  among  their  native 
'^nd  cfTential'charadtcrifticSrf 

'    Men  who  are  concerned  in  travelling,  hunting,  cutting  timber^ 

toaking  roads,  and  other  employments  in  the  foreft,  are  inured  to 

■*^d(liips.     They  fi*equently  lie  out  in  the  woods  feveral  days  op 

^ccks  together,  in  all  feafons  of  the  year.     A  hut  compofed  of  pole^ 

•nd-  bark  fuffices  them  for  flielter,  and  on  the  open  fide  of  it  a  large 

*^  feciires  them  from  the  feverity  of  the  weather.     Wrapt  in  a 

*^fiket  with  their  feet  next  the  fife,  they  pafs  the  longeft  and  cold^ft 

^^hts,  and  awake  vigorous  for  labour  the  fuccceding  day.     Their 

^>otl^  when  thus  employed,  is  faked  pork  or  beef,  with  potatoes  and 

''^ad  of  Indian  corn,  and  their  beft  drink  is  water  mixed  with  gin- 


*">    though  many  of  them  are  fond  of  diftilled  fpirits,  which,  how- 

^"^t*,  are  lefs  noxious  in  fuch  a  fituatiftn  than  at  home.     Thofe 

*  ■^O  begin  a  new  fettlement  live,  at  firft,  in  a  Hyle  not  lefs  fimple  | 

^^^y  ered  a  fquare  building  of  poles  notlhed  at  the  ends  to  keep  thcfia 

^ft   together;   the  crevices  are  plaiftered  with  clay,  or  the  llifFeft 

^^^h  which  can  be  had,  mixed  with  mofs  or  ftraw ;  the  roof  it 

^^Vier  bark  or  fplit  boards ;  the  chimney  a  pile  of  ftones,  within 

^^*^ich  a  fire  is  made  on  the  ground,  and  a  hole  is  left  in  the  roof 

^^  the  fmoke  to  pafs  out  >  another  hole  is  made  in  the  fide  of  tlla 

*^jufc  for  a  window,  which  is  occaConaliy  clofed  with  a  wooden 

ih¥ttei>r 


tot  frENEftAL    DESCRIPTION 

(butter:    In  winter  a  conflant  fire,  is  kept  by  night  as  well  as  by  ds 
and  in  fummer  it  is  neceflary  to  have  a  continual  fmoke  on  accoi 
of  the  mufquetos  and  other  infeds  with  which  the  woods  abouK-^d 
The  fame  defence  is  ufcd  for  the  cattle ;  fmokes  of  leaves  and  hr^zs/li 
arc  made  in  the  paftures  where  they  feed  by  day,  and  in  the  {>ej3^ 
where  they  are  folded  by  night.     Ovens  are  built  at  a  fmall  diftanc^ 
from  the  houfes  of  the  bed  ftones  which  can  be  found,  cemented 
and  plaiftercd  with  clay  or  fiiff  earth.     Many  of  thefe  firfl  elFays  i 
houfekeeping  are  to  be  met  with  in  the  new  plantations,  which  ferr* 
to  lodge  whole  families,  till  their  induflry  can  furntfh  them  witl 
materials  for  a  more  regular  and  comfortable  houfe^  and  till  thei^- 
land  is  fo  well  cleared,  as  that  a  proper  fituation  for  it  can  be  chofen- 
By  thefe  methods  of  living  the  people  are  familiarifed  to  hardfhips  ^ 
their  children  are  early  ufed  to  coarfe  food  and  hard  lodging  ;  am 
to  be  without  (hoes  in  all  feafons  of  the  year  is  fcarcely  accounted 
want.     By  fuch  hard  fare,    and  the  labour  which  accompanies  it^^ 
nlany  young  men  have  raifed  up  families,  and  in  a  few  ]^ears  havc=^ 
acquired  property  fufficient  to  render  tbemfelves  independent  free— - 
holders ;  and  they  feel  all  the  pride  and  importance,  which  arifes  fronaoi 
a  confcioufnefs  of  having  well  earned  their  eflates. 

They  have  alfo  been  accuftomed  to  hear  their  parents  relate  th^"* 
dangers  and  hardfliips,  the  fcenes  of  blood  and  defolation,  througK": 
which  they  and  iheir  anceftors  have  pafTed;  and  they  have  an  ambw<- 
lion  to  emulate  their  hardy  virtues,    New-Hampfliire  may  therefore 
be  confidered  as  a  nurfcry  of  Hern  heroifm,   producing  men  o/ 
firmnefs  and  valour,  who  can  traverfe  mountains  and  deferts,  en* 
counter  hardfhips^  and  face  an  enemy  without  terror.   Their  martial 
(piril  needs  only  opportunity  to  draw  it  into  action  ;  and  when  pro^ 
perly  trained  to  regular  military  duty,  and  commanded  by  officers 
in  whom  they  can  place  confidence,  tlvey  form  a  militia  fully  equal  to 
the  defence  of  their  country. 

They  arc  alio  very  dexterous  in  the  ufe  of  edge  tools,  and  in 
applying  niechaiijijal  powers  to  the  elevation  and  removal  of  heavy 
bodies,  J  a  the  manngciivjrt  of  cattle  they  are  excelled  by  none* 
Moft  of  their  labour  is  performed  by  the  help  of  oxen ;  horfes  are 
feldom  employed  in  tlie  team,  but  are  ufed  chiefly  in  the  faddlc,  or 
in  the  vv inter  feafon  in  llcighs. 

.  Land  being  eafily  obtained,  and  labour  of  every  kind  being  £ami-' 
liar,  there  is  great  encouragement  to  population*  A  good  hufband- 
man,  with  the  favlngs  of  a  few  years,  can  purihafe  new  land  enough 
.  I  to 


OF    NEW-HAMPSHIRE.  lOJj 

to  give  his  elder  fons  a  fettlement,  and  affift  them  in  clearing  a  lot , 
and  building  a  hut ;  after  which  they  foon  learn  to  fupport  them? 
felvcs.  The  homeftead  is  generally  given  to  the  youngeft  fon,  who 
provides  for  his  parents  when  age  or  infirmity  incapacitates  them  for 
iabour.  An  unmarried  man  of  thirty  years  years  old  is  rarely  to  be 
found  in  the  country  towns.  The  women  are  grandnaothers  at 
forty,  and  it  is  not  uncommon  for  a  mother  and  daughter  to  have 
each  a  child  at  the  breaft  at  the  fame  time ;  nor  for  a  father,  fon» 
and  grandfon,  to  be  at  work  together  in  the  fame  field.  Thus  po- 
pulation and  cultivation  proceed  together,  and  a  vigorous  race  of 
inhabitants  grows  up,  on'a  foil  which  labour  vies  with  nature  to  ren« 
der  produ^ive. 

Thofe   perfons^  who   attend  chiefly  to  hulbandry  are  the  moil 

thriving  and  fubftantial ;    thofe  who  make  the  getting  of  lumber 

their  principal  bufinefs  generally  work  hard  for  little  profit ;  this  kind 

of  employment  interferes  too  much  with  hulbandry.     The  beft  fea- 

fon  for  fawing  logs  is  the  fpring,  when  the  rivers  are  high  ;  this  is 

^Ifo  the  time  for  ploughing  and  planting.    He  who  works  in  the  faw- 

niill  at  that  time  mull  buy  his  bread  and  clothing,  and  the  hay  for 

^is  cattlg,  with  his  lumber  5  and  he  generally  anticipates  the  profit 

Pf  his  labor.    Long  credit  is  a  difadvantage  to  him ;  and  the  too  free 

^^dulgence  of  fpirituous- liquors,  to  which  this  clafs  of  people  are 

''^"^'ch  addid^ed,  hurts  their  health,  their  morals,  and  their  interefl, 

*■* -hey  are  always  in  debt,  and  frequently  at  law.     Their  families 

^^^  ill  provided  wi^  neceflaries,  and  their  children  are  without  edu- 

5^^^'on  or  morals.     When  a  man  makes  hulbandry  his  principal  em- 

^^yment,  and  attends  to  lumber  o|ily  at  feafons  of  leifure,  and  can 

^i'd  to  keep  it  for  a  market,  and  be  his  own  fador,  then  it  be- 

-es  profitable.     The  profits  of  tlie  other  generally  go  into  the 

^^^cis  of  the  trader,  who  fupplies  him  with  neceflaries  at  an  advanced 


*^^,  and  keeps  him  in  a  Hate  of  dependance. 

"^here  huft)andry  is  the  employment  of  the  men,  domeftic  manu- 

^^^ures  are  carried  on  by  the  H^omen  j  they  fpin  and  weave  their 

^^'^'^  flax  and  wool,  and  their  fairulifs  are  clad  in  cloth  of  their 

^^^  making.    The  people  of  Londonderry,  and  the  towns  which 

^*^^  Qciade  up  of  emigrants  from  it,  attend  largely  to  the  manufafture 

.     ^inen  cloth  and  thread,  and  make  great  quantities  for  fale.     Thefe 

^^^^^ple  are  induftrious,  frugal,  and  hofpitable ;  the  men  are  fanguine 

^^   robuft ;  the  women  are  of  lively  difpofitions,  and  the  native 

^*^tt:  and*  red  comprexion  of  Ireland  is  not  loft  in  New-Hamplhire. 

»*  ♦'  The 


»04.  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

P  The  town  is  much  indebted  to  them  for  its  wealth  and  confll 
qucnce*"* 

The  people  of  New-Hampfbire,  in  general,  are  induflrious,  s^^ 
allow  themfelvcs  very  little  time  for  divcrfion :  one  who  indul  ^ 
timfelf  in  idlenefs  and  play,  is  ftigmatifcd  according  to  his  dem&x 
At'  military  mufters,  at  judicial  courts,  at  the  raifing  of  houfes^ 
the  launching  of  fhips,  and  at  the  ordination  of  minifiers,  wbS 
are  feafons  of  public  concourfe,  the  young  people  amufe  themfelwi 
v^ith  dancing.  In  fome  towns  they  have  a  pra^ice  at  Chriflmas 
fliooting  geefe  for  wagers  ;  and  on  many  other  occafions  the  dlv^ 
fkon  of  firing  at  marks  is  very  common,  and  has  an  excellent  efFi^ 
in  farming  young  men  to  a  dexterous  ufe  of  arms.  The  time  of  ^g 
thcring  the  Indian  corn  is  always  a  feafon  of  feilivity  ;  the  ears 
gathered  and  brought  home  by  day,  and  in  the  evening  a  comp 
€j.f  neighbours  join  in  hulking  them,  and  conclude  their  labour  wi  - 
a  fupper  and  a  dance.  In  the  capital  towns  they  have  regular  a^ 
Icmbjies  for  dancing ;  and  fometimes  theatrical  entertainments  hai^ 
been  given  by  the  young  gentlemen  and  ladies.  In  Portfmou^ 
there  is  as  much  elegance  and  politenefs  of  manners*  as  in  any  of.th^ 
capital  towns  of  Ne.v-England.  It  is  often  vifited  by  flrangers,  wh-^ 
always  meet  with  a  friendly  and  hofpitable  reception. 

The  free  indulgence  of  fpirituous  liquors  has  been,  and  is  now-^ 
one  of  the  greateil  faults  of  many  of  the  people  of  New-Hampfhir^ 
cfpecially  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  river  Pafcataqua,  and  i^ 
branches,  and  wherever  the  bufinefs  of  getting  lumber  forms  th 
principal  employment  of  the  people. 

Jn  travelling  up  the  country,  it  affords  plcafure  to  obferve  th€2 
various  articles  of  produce  and  manufadure,  coming  to  market  ^ 
birt  in  travelling  down  the  country,  it  is  equally  difguftful  to  meeC 
the  fame  teams  returning,  loaded  with  calks  of  rum,  along  witb 
fifii,  fak  and  other  neceffary  articles. 

Ami^ng  hufbandmen  cyder  is  their  principal  drink ;  malt  liquor  i& 
not  fo  common  as  its  wholefomenefs  deferves,  and  as  the  facilitjr 
with  which  barley  and  hops  may  be  raifed  fecms  to  require.  In 
iome  of  the  new  towns  a  liquor  is  made  of  fpruce  tvfigs  boiled  ia 
maple  fap.  But  after  all,  there  are  no  perfons  more  robufl  and 
healthy,  than  thofe  whofe  only  or  principal  drink  is  the  fimple  cle- 

*  MS.  letfcr  of  the  Rev.  William  Morriron  of  Londonderry. 

i 


OF    NEW-HAMPSHIRE.  IO5 

ment  with  which  Nature  has  univerlally  and  bountiflilly  fupplied 
this  happy  land. 

TRADE  AND  MANUFACTURES. 

For  fevcral  years  fiicceeding  the  late  war  the  partial  impofts  and 
innpoUtic  reflri6tions  of  their  own  government,  prevented  foreign 
veflTels  from  loading  in  their  port,  and  a  want  of  capital  or  of  enter- 
prifc  in  the  merchants  of  Pafcataqua  has  hitherto  kept  thena  from 
exploring  the  new  fources  of  commerce,  which  are  opened  to  Ame- 
rica by  her  independence,  and  which  the  merchant*  of  other  Amc- 
>"ican  ports  are  feeking  with  avidity.  Since  the  operation  of  the 
general  government,  an  equal  fyfVem  of  impoll  has  been  introduced, 
5ind  trade  is  regulated  fo  as  to  ferve  the  general  intereft  of  the  Union. 
The  officers  of  the  cuftoms  are  appointed  by  the  Executive  of  the 
XJnited  States  ^  and  the  revenue  arifing  from  trade  and  navigation  is 
applied  to  national  purpofes. 

That  fuch  an  alteration  was  wife  and  falutary,  may  be  evident 
from  confidering  the  fituation  of  New-Hampfhire,  as  well  as  of 
feooc  other  States  in  the  Union. 

Kcw-Hampftiire  is  feated  in  the  bofom  of  Maflachufett^,  with  a 

^*tTow  ftrip  of  fea  coaft,  and  one  only  port.     Her  inland  country 

^^tends  fo  widely  as  to  cover  ^  great  part  of  the  neighbouring  States, 

***ci  render  a  commercial  connexion  with  them  abfolutely  necelTary. 

^^  the  towns  which  are  (ituat.e  on  the  fouthern,  and  many  of  thofe 

^*^  the  weftcrn  borde;rs  <^  New-Ham  pftiire,  find  it  more  convenient 

^^    cany  their  produce  to  market,  either  at  Newbury-port,  Salem, 

^*^*ilon  or  HaFtfor4-    The  towns  on  Saco  and  the  northern  parts  of 

^^ne^ficut  river  will  neceiTarily  communicate  with  the  ports,  in 

^^  caftem  divifion  of  MaiTachufetts.     The  lumber  which  is  cut  on 

^^^  upper  part  of  the  Merrimack  is  rafted  down  th^t  river,  and  is 

^^Portcd  from  Newbury-port^  whilft  that  which  is  cut  on  Connedi- 


river  is  carried  dowjn  to  Hartford.     The  greater  part  of  New- 

ipfhirc  is  by  nature  cut  off  fronj  any  commercial  intcrcourfc 

^'^^h  the  only  port  in  the  State.     Luniber  being  a  bulky  article, 

^^ft  be  tranfported  to  the  moft  convenient  landing.    Waggons,  or 

^^ghs,  carrying  pot  or  pearl  aflies^  pork,  beef,  butter,  cheefe,  flax, 

^^    other  lefs  bulky  commodities,  and  droves  of  cattle,  flieep  and 

^^'nc,  will  always  be  conveyed  to  thofe  places  where  the  vender  can 

"*^d  the  moft  advantageous  market. 

Vol.  n.  P  For 


I06  CfENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

For  thefc  reafons  it  never  was  in  the  power  of  the  governmeti  t  of 
New-Hampfhire,  either  before  or  fince  the  revolution,  to  reap  tn  Tic 
proper  advantage,  or  even  aicertain  the  vahie  of  its  own  prociu«5tio  :^ms. 

To  attempt  a  particular  detail  of  the  number  and  value  of  :^»r- 

ticles  of  commerce  produced  in  New-Hampfhire,  and  exported  fr^:=>^ 

the  various  ports  of  MaiTaclmfetts  and  Connecticut,  is  impra6ii(^=^- 

ble.     To  confine  the  detail  to  the  port  of  Pafcataqua  alone,  gi— ^es 

but  an  imperfect  idea  of  the  produce  of  the  whole  State ;  befi( 

a  part  of  what  is  exported  thence  is  produced  in  the  adjoin: 

county  of  York,  which  belongs  to  MafTachufetts.     Such  accoui 

.  however,  as  have  been  obtained  from  the  cuftom-houfe,  and  fr— 

the  merchants  of  Portfmouth,  are  here  exhibited,  and  alfo  the  c 

rent  prices  of  the  moft  material  articles,  as  they  flood  at  the 

together  with  tables  of  the  value  of  gold  and  filver,  accordinj 

the  currency  of  this  State. 


les, 


,•  EXPOR 


OF    KEW-HAMPSHIRE. 


107 


EXPORTS    FROM   THE  PORT  OF  PASCATAQUA, 
from  OHoler  i,  1789,  to  OBober  i,  i79i. 


ARTICLES  EXPORTED 


to  Europe. 


W.Ind. 


N.Sco. 


Africa. 


Total. 


1000  feet  of  pine  boanis 

'Do.  feet  of  oak  plank 

Ditto  ftaveS  and  heading  ' 

'Do.  clapboards        ^ 

Do.  fhingles 

Do.  hoops 

Feet  of  oar  rafters 

Tons  of  pine  timber 

Do,  oak  timber 

Fiiamds  of  houfes 

Pine  mafts 

Spmce  fpars        • 

Shook  hogdieads 

|Waggons 

jPairs  of  cart  wheels 

Sets  of  yokes  and  bows 

Boats 

Handfpikes 

Quintals  of  dry  fifli 

Barrels  of  pickled  fifh 

Do.  whale  oil  . 

Do.  tar  • 

Cafts  of  flax  feed 

'Barrels  of  beef 
pork 

fDo.  rice         .         . 

iBufliels  of  Indian  corii 

'yen  and  cows 
Morfes  • 

fSheep  .         i 

'Gallons  of  N.  Eng,  rum 
Do.  Madeira  wine 
Thoufands  of  bricks 
Tons  of  pot  afli      « 
Do.  pearl  a(h  • 

Boxes  of  candles      • 


6247 

378 

13^7 

11^622 

26 

1608 

2 

5^89 
79I 

^,000 

950 

88| 

86 

251 

20 

12 

41 

4 

'3 

72 

2079 

• 

2 

14 
28 

80 

30 

256 

26,207 

1613 

1798 


88| 
30I 


SOI 

ilo 

60 

*77S 
9 

39' 

S77 
207 

261 

84s 
129 


28 


96 


44 


69 


2 
I 


33 
2 

229 

150 


2 
2000 


14^9 


18,034 
404 

2969 
21 

2689 
86i 

47.950, 
i74i 
271 

12 

J5 

2079 
2 

14 
28 

30 
80 

26,457 
501 

120 

1673 

1798 

^777 
10 

2 

2391 
610 
209 

490 

1599 

84s 
129 

88^ 

30: 
28 


Total  value  of  exportation  1  ^  ^  3      ^^^^^^       ^^^,^^ 
tor  two  years  j    ^  '  o?  3 


P» 


IMPORTS 


io8 


GENERAL    DESCRIPTldM 


Imports  into  the  port  of  pascataqua, 

OBoher  i,  1789,  ioOHoher  i,  I79i« 


^ 


•Urn 


ARTICLES  IMPORTED 


Gallons  of  nim        • 

Do.  gin , 

Do.  naolaiTes 

Eto.  wine  from  Madeira 

Oo.  porter 

lbs.  of  unrefined  fugar 

Do*  loaf  fugar 

Do.  coffee 

Do.  cotton 

Do.  cocoa      • 

Do.  cheefe     • 

Do.  tea 

Do.  twin6 

Do.<  nails        • 

Hundreds  of  cordage 

Do.  hemp      • 

Buihels  of  fait 

Do.  fea  coal 

lbs,  of  fteel  unwrought 

Do.  bar  and  flieet  lead 

Grindilones 


from 
Europe. 


W.  Indies. 


Nova  Scotia. 


^il 


1056 

2696 

2204 

16,890 

17,107 

94,000 

(part) 

16,527 
433^ 


(part) 


\ 


(a  fevj  not 
afcertaincd) 


Total. 


138,911 

22| 

ir7o,78s 

- 

546,648 

68,633 
17*564 

77 

*7>944 

86 

1 

N,  B.  "  What  comes  coaft  ways  from  any  of  the  United  States 
cannot  be  afcertained,  as  no  regular  entries  are  made  where  only  the 
produce  of  the  United  States  is  on  board,  except  accompanied  with 
snore  than  two  hundred  dollars  value  of  foreign  articles.  The  value 
#f  Imported  articles  is  generally  governed  by  the  Bofton  market*'* 


OF    NEW-HAMPSHIKE. 


ic»9 


•TRIES  AND  CLEARANCES,   from  OStirr  i,  1789,   to 
08abtr  i,  1791. 


1 

tS 

■  - 

s 

1 

ENTRIES  FROM 

^ 

■3 

"5   V 

i 

i  i  1- 

4 

'k  g 

1 

1 

II 

•2. 

a;§^ 

H 

<  " 

I 

_£!_ 

ce 

3 

73a 

73* 

ch  Weft-Indiei 

13  ^ 

■*i3    S 

7* 

9402 

364 

56(,6 

eter")  and  Miquelon 

S 

193 

34 

116 

md       . 

IB 

s 

*7 

4119 

■S/O 

468, 

ind       . 

4 

46^ 

464 

id 

4 

859 

859 

h  Wefl-lndie» 

a    1    I 

to 

00  s 

aoo5 

Scotia 

"4 

15 

Ss6 

856 

gal       . 

"93 

293 

guefe  inards 

I    I 

34' 

341 

od  &  Planwiions    . 

S   9    1 

8996 

2996 

lark  it  IlUnds 

■ii 

'ii 

ing  Sc  Cod  Fifliery 

+0io 

S° 

it66 

.166 

Total 

34S 

;'H4'8 

za^l 

so7ig 

»q8'" 

431 

14448 

1 

i 

1 

g 

E 

^ 

EABANCES  TO 

* 

1 

il 

n 

It 

■s 

1 

i 

1 

t 

h  Weft-Indies 

'7 

70  3 

10136 

16616 

.6+ 

i63So 

ler'a  8;  Miquelon 

'  9 

fliS 

34 

46* 

id 

It) 

25 

41 

67.5 

44 

7.66 

nd 
i 

J 

4 
3 

4 
4 

6.6 

666 

616 

666 

Weft-Indica 

8 

3  ■ 

I  16 

3 '3 

3 '34 

Scotia 

5° 

50« 

^1         .          . 

;ude  Iflands  . 

I 

1 

161 

162 

id&  Platitations 

3 

2 

^33 

ajS 

arlc&lllancls 

, 

110 

ng&GjdFifliciy 

4= 

1!J! 

1166 

1166 

Total        . 

U 

107.10 

'"?" 

26^ 

5» 

^ 

162 

31097 

It6 


GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 


PRICfeS  CURRENT  AT  PASCATAQUA,  A.  D.  1791. 


PINE  MASTS,  hewn. 


SfRUCfe  and  PINE  YARDS,  hc^^'n 
in  8  fquare. 


Inches. 

3S 

34 

33 

3» 

31 

30 
29 

28 

27 

26 

^5 
24 

23 
22 

2t 
20 


Price. 

"7 
96 

7S 
60 

47 
3« 

30 

20 

17 

H 
12 

10 

9 
8 

6 


and  all  helo-TX)  20  at 
•    6/'frr  i?ich. 


(3) 


Inches. 
24 

*3 
22 

21 

20 


(3) 

OS 
CO 


9 

8 

7 
6 

S 
4 

3 
2 

I 

o 

9 


Price. 

27 

*3 

20 

]6 
12 

9-10 

8 

6 
-10 

-  8 

-  6 

-  4 

-  2 

-18 


PIKE  BOWSPRITS, 
hewn  in  8  fquarc 


Inches. 
38 

37 
36 

35 
34 
33 
3* 
31 
30 
29 
28 

^7 
26 


Prjcc. 
;f.64 

48 

44 
42 

.    3a 

31 
27 

21 

16 

9 

7 
6 


^5 

tf /z//  all  heloHJj 
at  '^fpcr  inch. 


LUMBER. 


Timber. 
Oak  from  15  to  50  feet  in  length 
and    from    10    to   20  inches 
fquare,  feach  40  cubic  feet 
r  white        .         2ofio%^ 
Oak-I  red  .  12/ 

[black         .         1 6/ to  18/ 
Maple  .  i  s,of 

Beech  .  •  i(yf 

Black  birch  .         16/ to  18/ 

White  pine  .  12/*  to  13/ 

Oak  fliip  timber  meafurcd  1  i/per 
at  end-  of  the  arm  J  znc6. 

Alh  timber,  per  cord        .      24/ 
Lath  wood,  per  cord         *      24/ 

Boards,  Plank  and  Joisr^ 

Each  fuperficial  fquare  foot,  one 
inch  in  thicknefs,  is  called  a 
foot 

Pine,  per  1000  feet        36/" to  42/ 
Hemlock  generally  '  2/'  hf$ 


N.  B.  The  price  of  thefe  articles 

is  frequently  varying. 
Oak  plank,  per  ton         . 


/.8 


Sundry  Lumber, 

Clapboards,  per  thoufand 

Shingles,  ditto 

Hoops,  ditto 

White  oak  pipe  ftavcs,  per 

thoufand 
Ditto  hogftiead,  ditto 
Ditto  barrel,  ditto 
Red  oak  hogfhead,  ditto 
Ditto  barrel,  ditto  /,i 

Anchor-ftocks  per  inch  at 

diameter  of  the  nut 
Handfpikes  in  the  rpugh 

Shook  hhc&.{;f/-f 

Spruce  fpars,  per  inch 

Oar  rafters,  per  1000  feet    J^,  4 

I  StJirDkY 


I 


f30 

£ 

10/ 


*  ^  I 


J/ 

6/ 

3/' 
4^ 


OF    NEW-HAMPSHIRE, 


III 


PRICES  CURRENT  CONTINUED, 


Sundry  Articles. 


"  Merch. 
Jamaica 

[  Scale 
Pork,  per  barrel 
Beef,  ditto 
Corn,  per  bufliel 
F^ye,  ditto 
Barley,  ditto 
-Flax  feed,  ditto 
Oxeu,  each 


Fifli,  per 
<3uintal 


IS/ 
13  to  14/ 

£.2  2/ 
3/ 

3/^0  4/ 
;f  4  10/ 


Cows 

Horfes 

Sheep 

Bricks,  per  thoufand 

Cyder,  per  barrel 


£.t>  to  30 
6/ to  9y 

20f 

51 


Seamen's  wages,  per  month 

7  iiollars 
Chartering  of  v^flels  per  ton, 
per  month  i  dollar 


- 


Table  of  the  Value  of  Silver  in  the  Currency  of  New-Hamp- 

fliire,  from  1700  to  1750. 


Silver  per  oz. 


years. 


value 


Silver  per  oz. 


Silver  per  oz. 


years. 


value. 


years.         value. 


1700 
1704 
1705 
1710 
171 1 
1712 

1713 
1714 

1715 

1716 

1717 

1718 

1719 

1720 

1 72 1  ^ 
1722 
1723 
1724 

1725 

1726 
1727 


s,  d, 
10  O 

7 
10 

8 

8 

8 

8 

9 

9 
o 

o 

I 

2 

2 

2 

3 
4 

4 
4 

5 
6 

6 

6 

6 
6 


o 
o 
o 

4 
6 

6 

o 

o 

o 

o 

o 

o 

4 
6 

6 

o 

6 

6 

6 

o 

6 

o 

o 

o 

o 


1733 


1734- 


2C 


1737 
1738 


73^ 


1740 


1741 


1742 


1743 


1744 


1745 


Silver  per  oz. 


years, 


value. 


r«  d» 


-^IM 


748  <! 


17491 


1750 


tfZ 


GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 


VALUE  OF  DOLLARS,  from  1750  to  1776. 


years. 

value. 

years. 

value. 

years. 

value. 

« 

J.  ^/. 

J.  ^. 

s,  d* 

1751 

51  6 

( 

'  100   0 

^  \%o  0 

■  «7.;* 

55  0 

^7S7S 

to 

1761 

to 

1 7  S3 

57  0 

( 

iio  0 

1762^ 

13.0  0 

»7S4 

60.0 

1758 

120  .0 

1763 

& 

I7S5, 

70  0 

^7^9 

120    0 

.140  0 

f 

80  0 

1760 

120   0 

1764 

120  0 

»756- 

90  0 
100  0 

•  176SI 

to 

>►     6  0 

* 

■ 

•1776  J 

SCALE  OF  DEPRECIATION  OF  ONE  HUNDRED  DOLI 

during  the  War, 


years.       rnon.       equal  to. 


1777'! 


7.73 «! 

I 


•Jan. 
Feb. 
IMarch 
April 
•May 
J\i»e 

Auguft 
Sept. 

oa. 

Nov. 
,Dec. 

I  Feb, 
March 
April  . 
May 
June 
July 
Augnfl 
Sepr. 

oa. 

Nov. 
Dec. 


100 
104 
106 
1 10 
114 

I2Q 

125 
150 

175 
275 

300 

310 

3^5 

3S9 

375 
400 

400 

400 

425 

450 

47S 
500 

545 
634 


years.      mon.       equal  to. 


^m< 


flan. 
Feb. 
March 
April 
May 
June 
July 
Auguft 
Sept. 

oa. 

Nov. 
^Dec. 


Tan. 
Feb. 
March 
Aprd 
May 
o  J  Tune 

'7'^ljuiy 

Aug. 
Sept. 
0(^t. 
Nov. 
L  Dec. 


742 
868 

TOGO 

1  rc4 
121$ 

1342 

1477 
1630 

1800 

2030 

2308 

2393 

?934 

3322 

373^ 
4000 

4800 

5700 

6000 

6300 

6500 

6700 

7000 

7300 


years,      inon.       cqi 


1781 


Feb. 
March 
April 
May 
June      12 


Value  to  the  p 
.    fent  time. 

dbl.   .  V 

1781 
,,to      >    I 

^794- 


In  American  nati 
currency,  one 
lar  is  equal  to 

cents. 


OF    NEW-HAMPSHIRE, 


"3 


Tabu  of  the  Wright  and  Value  of  Gold  and  Silver  as  cftabliOicd 

by  Law  in  1785. 


COINS. 


French     |  Crown 
Spanifli  Dollar 
tnglifli  Guinea 
French  ditto 
Johanues 
Half  ditto 
Moidore 
Doubloon 
Piftole      . 


Weight. 


Value. 
£.  s,  d* 


5 

5 
18 


6 
6 
o 
c 


068 

060 
T     8  o 

I     7  4 
4  16  o 

280 


6  i8|  I   16  o 
x6  12]  4    80 

4    31  ^ 


2  o 


£.  s.d. 


Gold,  per  ounce 
Silver,  per  ounce 


S  6  8 
068 


cox 


Statemeat  of  the  Fishery  at  Fafcataqua  and  its  neighbourhood* 


Schooners 
Boats 
Tpnnage 
Seamen 


*7l 

20  I  employed  in  the  Cod  and 

630  I      Scale  Fifliery  annually.  * 
asoj 


*>  •     V 


Product  of  the  Fishery  in  the  year  lyQi.f 


r  Merchantable  fifh 
Quintals  made  <  Jamaica  ditto 

(^  Scale  dittQ 


S>^70 
14,217 

6,463 


Total        a  55850 


Eftimatc  of  Seamen  belonging  to  New-Hampfliire  in  i79i.§ 


In  foreign  trade 
Coaftmg  dittp 
Fifliery 


JOG 

5^ 


f  he  fchooncrs,  boats^  an4  icamen,  belonging  to  the  Ifles  of  Shoals  arc  not  in» 
^*^  in  the  above  cftiniation. 
"^  The  fifh  made  at  the  Iflcs  of  Shoals  are  included  in  this  ftatcment.     The  fucccis 
^  fthery  in  this  fcafon  has  been  uncon^monly  good. 

S  Some  of  the  feamcn  who  in  furnmcr  are  employed  in  the  iilhciy,  are  in  the  winter 
*P^ycd  in  the  coafting  bufinefs,  or  in  foreign  voyages. 

^ct,n,  CL  The 


114  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

The  ftaple  commodities  of  New-Hampihire  may  he  reduced 
the  following  articles,  viz.  fhips,  lumber,  provifions,  fiihj  borfes,  | 
and  pearl  afhes,  and  flax-feed. 

Ships  are  built  in  all  the  towas  contiguous  to  the  river  Fafcataqi 
and  its  branches.  They  are  generally  fct  up  on  the  banks  of  t 
river,  but  fometimes  vtrfTels  of  an  hundred  tor^s  and  upwards  ha 
be^n  built  at  the  diflance  of  one  or  two  miles  from  the  water,  ai 
drawn  on  ftrong  fledges  of  timber  on  the  fnow  by  teams  of  tw 
hundred  oxen,  and  placed  on  thp  ice  of  the  rivers  fo  as  to  float  in  tl 
fpcing.  They  have  alfo  been  built  at  the  diflance  of  feven  oreigl 
miles,  then  taken  to  pieces  and  conveyed  in  common  team  loads 
the  fe^,  pifliing  fchooners  and  whale  boats  are  often  built  at  tl 
diflance  of  two  or  three  miles  from  the  water. 

There  are  no  workmen  more  capable  of  conftru£lIng  good  flii 
than  the  carpenters  of  New-Hampfliire.  But  the  goodnefs  of  a  fli 
ever  did  and  will  depend  on  the  quality  of  the  materials,  the  natu 
and  promptitude  of  the  pay,  and  the  conftant  attention  of  the  perf 
whofe  intereft  it  is  that  the  fliip  fliould  bp  good. 

The  number  of  fliips  built  in  the  river  in  1790,  was  eight; 
1791,  twenty.     The  price  of  buirding  is  generally  from  eleven 
twelve  dollars  per  ton  for  the  carpenter's  work,  and  lefs  than  o 
third  more  for  iron  and  other  work. 

The  numjjer  of  fliip§  and  pther  yeflels  belonging  lo  the  port 
Pafcataqua  in  1791  was  cighty-three»  of  th^fe  there  were  of  abc 
one  hundred  tons',  thirty-three,  and  under  one  hundred  tons,  fihy. 

The  white  pine  of  the  foreft  is  the  ftrongeft  and  moft  durable  tir 
ber  which  Anierica  affords  for  mafts.  It  is  often  advanced  by  Eur 
peans.  that  the  pines  of  Norway  exceed  thofe  of  America  in  ftrengt 
This  IS  acknowledged  to  be  true  whilft  the  Norway  wood  retains 
natural  juices ;  but  thefe  being  foon  exhaufl:ed  by  the  heat  and  dr 
nefs  of  the  air,  leave  the  wood  lefs  firm,  and  a  decay  commenc 
much  fooner  than  in  the  white  pine  of  America.  The  Norway  pi 
begins  to  decay  in  five  or  fix  years ;  but  the  American,  with  proj 
care  to  defend  the  mafl-head  from  raoifture,  will  laft  unimpaired  i 
twenty  years. 

When  proper  perfons  are  employed,  and  fufficient  time  is  given 
provide  fiiitable  materials,  the  forefts  of  America  can  fupply  any  c 
ipands  which  may  be  made  of  timber,  either  for  building,  for  na^ 
flores  or  cabinet  work.  But  a  cargo  prepared  in  an  injjudicioii 
hafly,  or  fraudulent  manner,  may  give  a  bad  name  to  the  Amci 


OF    NEW-HAMPSHIRE,  II5 

can  timber  in  foreign  markets,  and  prejudice  whole  nations  againfi: 
it. 

Cotitra£ls  for  timber  fhould  always  be  made  fo  as  to  give  time  to 

look  for  the  requiiite  {licks,  and  cut  them  in  the  proper  feafon  of  the 

pr.   If  the  trees  were  girdled  and  Jeft  to  die  ftanding,  the  timber 

would  be  much  fuperior  to  any  which  is  cut  whilft  alive.    Trees  cut 

in  the  fap  fliould  be  Gripped  of  their  bark  as  foon  as  polTibley  or  they 

will  be  damaged  by  the  worm  ;  but  after  all  the  care  and  attention 

which  can  be  beflowed  on  them,  many  trees  which  are  intended  for 

maflS)  on  the  flri6t  examination  which  they  muA  pafs,  prove  unfi): 

for  fervice,  and  fometimes  the  labour  of  a  whole  feafon  is  loft. 

It  is  therefore  accounted  more  profitable  to  get  the  fmaller  fpecies 
of  lumber,  and  efpecially  thofe  which  do  not  interfere  with  hufban* 
.dry,  which,  after  all,  is  much  preferable  to  the  lumber  buiinefs,  both 
in  point  of  gain,  contentment,  and  morals. 

Nothing  is  more  convincing  than  fa6t  and  experiment.  During 
the  late  war  the  trade  in  lumber  was  fufpendedi  and  the  people  were 
obliged  to  attend  to  hufbandry  j  they  were  then  able  to  export  large 
quantities  of  corn,  though  for  fcveral  years  before  the  war,  it  was 
wiported  for  neceffary  confumption. 
The  following  ftatement,  obtained  fi'om  the  navai«officei  will  place 
matter  in  its  juft  view. 


Corn  imported  into  the 
river  Pafcataqua. 


in  1765 

--.   1769 

^  i77» 


Bujheh. 
6498 

4097 
16587 

4096 


4)31478 

A^*^'g^l     78i9i 
p.  ann.    j      '     ^* 


1 


Corn  exported  from  the 
river  Pafcataqua. 


in  1776 

—  1777 

—  1778 

—  1779 

—  1780 

—  I781 


Bujhelu 
^510 
191S 
S306 

3097 

67it 
5587 


6)251*6 
Average  per  ann.        4187^ 


To  the  above  account  of  exports^  the  following  note  is  added  by  a 
'^^al  officer :  "  It  is  likely  near  half  as  much  has  been  fmuggled* 


^'^   The  fraupzUd  com  daring  the  war  went  chiefly  to  Nova-Scotia,  the  country 
^^*^\  V>  Lord  Shcflitia'j.  calculaiiun,  was  to  fupply  the  Weft  Indies  withprovifions! 

Q^i  out 


ItS  GENERAL   DESCRIPTION 

out  of  the  State  and  not  accounted  for."  It  muff  alfo  be  TttnttR* 
bercd,  that  great  quantities  were  carried  out  by  land  into  the  caftert 
countries  of  Maflachufetts.  If  thefe  be  added  to  the  lift  of  export', 
the  average  will  come  very  little  fhort  of  the  average  of  com  ir; 
jiorted  before  the  war ;  and  thus  it  is  dcmonftrable  that  even  th*., 
towns  adjoining  the  river,  in  which  lumbering  was  formerly  *^ 
chief  employment,  and  into  which  much  corn  was  importeil,  are  fkij 
tapablc  of  raifing,  hot  only  a  fufficiency  of  provifions  for  their  om 
fupport,  but,  a  furplus  for  exportation  equal  to  what  they  formerly 
Imported,  and  paid  for  in  the  hard,  dangerous,  and  unprofitable  la- 
bour which  always  attends  the  getting  of  lumber. 

At  the  clofe  of  the  war  the  high  price  of  lumber  induced  mJinJ 
'people  to  refume  their  old  employments ;  but  there  has  been  O 
much  flu<5luation  in  the  demand  for  that  article  of  late,  that  nod^ 
pendence  can  be  placed  on  it,  and  for  this  reafon  as  well  as  others 
huftandry  is  daily  growing  more  into  ufc.  A  careful  infpe^ion  c^ 
provifions  faked  for  exportation  would  tend  to  eftablifh  the  chara6te 
of  them  in  foreign  ports,  and  greatly  encourage  the  labours  of  th 
huibandman. 

The  cod  filhery  is  carried  on  either  by  boats  or  fchooner»,  Th 
boat*,  in  the  winter  feafon,  go  out  in  the  morning  and  return  r 
night ;  in  the  fpring  and  fummer,  they  do  not  return  till  they  ^r 
filled.  The  fchooners  make  three  trips  to  the  Banks  in  a  feafon.  Tb 
fiii^,  or"  fpring  fare,  produces  large  thick  fifli,  which,  after  beim 
properly  falteil  and  driedy  is  kept  alternately  above  and  under  grounc 
till  it  becomes  fo  mellow  as  to  be  denominated  dumb  fidu  Th 
fifh,  when  boiled,  is  red,  and  is  eaten,  generally  on  Saturdays,  at  tb 
beft  tables  in  New-Englbnd. 

The  fifti'of  the  fummer  and  fall  fares  is  divided  into  two  fort= 
the  onecalled  merchantable,  and  the  other  Jamaica  fifh.  Thefe  fort 
are  white,  thin,  and  lefs  firm.  The  Jamaica  fifli  is^  the  fmallefl 
thinneft,  and  ntioft  broken.  The  former  is  exported  to  Europe,  th 
latter  to  the  Weft  India  Iflands. ' 

The  places  where  the  cod  fifliery  is  chiefly  attended  to  are  the  ifle 
bf-Shoals,  NewfcaftU,  Rye  and  Hampton  ;  but  all  the  towns  adjoin 
iilg  the  riter  arc  moi'e  or  lefs  concerned  in  it.  The  boats  employe 
in  this  fiOiery  are  of  that  light  and  fwift  kind  called  whale  boats 
they  are  rowjed  either  with  two  or  four  oars,  and  fteered  with  anothei 
and  being  equally  fliarp  at  each  end,  move  with  the  utmoft  celerit 
^n  the  furface  of  the  ocean. 

S^oonei 


OP   NEW-HAMPSHIRE.  II7 

oners  arc  generally  from  twenty  to  fifty  tons,  and  carry  fix  or 

nen,  and  one  or  two  boys.    When  they  make  a  tolerable  fare, 

ring  home  five  or  fix  hundred  quintals  of  fifii,  fplit,  falted,  and 

.  in  bulk.     At  their  arrival   the   fifh  is  rinfcd  in  fait  water, 

>read  on  hurdles  compofed  of  brufh,  and  raifed  on  flakes  about 

or  four  feet  from  the  ground  ;  thefe  are  called  flakes.    Here 

111  is  dried  in  clear  weather,  and  in  foul  weather  it  is  put  under 

r.    It  ought  never  to  be  wet  from  the  time  that  it  is  firfl  fpread 

t  is  boiled  for  the  table. 

efides  the  flefliy  parts  of  the  cod,  its  liver  is  preferved  in  cafka 

boiled  down  to  oil,  which  is  ufed  by  curriers  of  leather.     The 

gues  and  founds  are  pickled  in  fniall  kegs,  and  make  a  luxurious, 

cid  food.     The  heads  are  fat  and  juicy  ;  but  moft  of  thofe  which 

i  caught  at  fea  are  thrown  away  ;  of  thofe  which  are  caught  near 

>iTie,  the  greater  part  become  the  food  of  fwine. 

The  fifliery  has  not  of  late  years  been  profecutcd  with  the  fame 

pint  as  formerly :  fifty  or  fixty  years  ago  the  fhores  of  the  rivers, 

wrecks,  and  iflands  were  covered  with  fifli-flakes ;  and  feven  or  eight 

wips  were  loaded  annually  for  Spain  and  Portugal,  befides  what  was 

carried  to  the  Weft  Indies ;  afterwards  they  found  it  more  convenient 

^0  make  the  fifh  at  Canfeau,  which  is  nearer  to  the  Banks ;  it  was 

^ntinued  there  to  great  advantage  till  1 744,  when  it  was  broken  up 

V  the  French  war.     After  the  peace  it  revived,  but  not  in  fo  great 

*  degree  as  before.     Fifh  was  frequently  cured  in  the  fummcr  on 

^^  caftern  fliores  and  iflands,  and  in  the  fprihg  and  fell  at  home. 

^^evioufly  to  the  late  revolution,  the  greater  part  of  remittances  ta 

^^rope  was  made  by  the  fifheries ;  but  it  has  not  yet  recovered  from 

^^  fhock  which  it  received  by  the  war  with  Britain. 

^^  is,  however,  in  the  power  of  the  Americans  to  make  more  ad- 

•  ^tage  of  the  cod  fifliery  than  any  of  the  European  nations:  they 

^  fit  out  vefTels  at  lefs  expence,  and  by  reafon  of  the  wcflerly  winds, 

'  ^^cVi  prevail  on  their  coafls  in. February  and  March,  fhey  can  ga 

^he  ganks  earlier  in  the  feafon  than  the  Europeans,  and  take  the 

^  ^  fifli ;  they  can  dry  it  in  a  clearer  air  than  the  foggy  fliores  of 

^'^vfoundland  and  Nova-Scotia ;  they  can  fupply  every  necefPary 

^^  among  themfelves,  vcfTels,  fpars,  fails,  cordage,  anchors,  lines, 

^^Vs,  and  provifions ;  fait  can  be  imported  from  abroad  cheaper  than 

^i^  can  make  it  at  home,  if  it  be  not  too  much  loaded  with  duties  ; 

^ti  can  always  be  had  to  go  on  fliares,  which  is  by  far  the  mofk 

^^Qfitable  method  both  to  the  employers  and  the  fiflicrmen.    The 

fi  filing 


Il8  GENl^RAL    PESCRIPTION 

fifhing  banks  arc  an  inexhauftiblc  fourcc  of  wealth  ;  and  the  fifhi 
6uiinefs  is  a  mod  excellent  nurfery  for  fcamen ;  it  therefore  defeni 
every  encouragement  and  indulgence  from  an  enlightened  natior 
legiflature. 

The  manufacture  of  pot  and  pearl  afhes  affords  a  valuable  arti» 
of  exportation.  In  the  new  townfhips,  where  vaft  quantities 
wood  are  burnt  on  the  land,  the  afties  are  colleifled  and  boiled,  -^ 
the  falts  are  conveyed  to  certain  places,  where  works  are  ereded,  u 
the  manufacture  is  perfedled.  This,  like  many  other  of  their  artid 
of  exportation,  has  fuffered  much  in  its  reputation,  from  an  injud 
cious  or  fraudulent  furvey.  It  is  a  kflbn  which  ought  to  be  dcepi 
engraven  on  the  minds  of  legiflators  as  well  as  manufacturers  an 
merchants^  that  honefl}'  at  home  is  the  only  foundation  for  cred. 
abroad  k 

An  attempt  has  been  made  to  manufacture  fhil-cloth ;  and  th 
proprietor  of  the  works,  Thomas  Odiorne,  Efq.  of  Exeter,  has  re 
teived  lome  fmall  encouragement  from  the  legiflature  of  the  State 
Such  a  bounty  as  is  allowed  in  Maflachufetts  would  give  a  fpring  t( 
this  bulinefs,  and  eiicourage  the  ercCtion  of  other  works  of  the  fam 
kind* 

The  manufacture  of  iron,  both  in  forges  and  furnaces,  might  b 
rendered  vaftly  more  profitable  than  it  is  at  prefent.  This  nccel 
iary  metal,  inftead  of  being  imported,  might  become  an  article  of  ex 
{)ortation4 

Flax  feed  is  produced  in  large  quantities ;  fome  of  it  is  manufaa 

0 

tiittd  into  oil,  and  fome  is  exported. 

The  manufacture  of  leather  and  fhoes  is  not  fo  extenfive  as  i 
produce  articles  of  exportatioui  but  may  be.  coiifidered  among  th 
domeitic  manufactures. 

Inmoftofthe  country  towns  conliderable  quantities  of  tow -clot) 
arc  made,  fome  of  which  is  exported  to  the  fouthern  States  to  clotk 
the  negroes  who  labour  on  the' plantations. 

The  manufacture  of  bricks  and  potter's  iVare  may  be  extended  t( 
any  degree,  feveral  fpecies.  of  clay  being  found  in  great  abundanci 
in  the  towns  at  the  heads  of  the  feveral  branches  of  the  river  Paf 
cataqua,  in  places  which  lie  very  convenient  for  water  carriage 
Bricks  might  be  carried  as  ballaft  in  every  velTel  which  goes  to  th 
ports  where  they  are  faleable.  In  this  article,  ho\^ever,  as  well  a 
many  others,  a  regulation  is  needed ;  molt  of  the  bricks  which  ar 
made  are  deficient  in  fizei  and  much  of  the  clay  which  is  ufed  ii 

makin 


OF    NEW-HAMPSHIRE.  II9 

pr»akingthcm  is  not  fufficiently  mellowed  by  the  froft  of  winter,  or  by 
-&  lie  labour  of  the  artificer, 

BANK. 

By  aft  of  affembly  of  January,  1792,  a  bank,  by  the  name  of 
^*  The  Bank  of  New-Hampihirc,"  was  eflabliflied,  to  continue  fifty 
y  tars,  under  the  management  of  a  prefldent  and  feven  direftors.— 
The  capital  ftock  is  fixty  thoufand  dollars ;  and  the  ftockholders 
t\s.Ye  liberty  to  increafe  it  to  two  hundred  thoufand  dollars  in  fpecie, 
^iid  one  hundred  thoufand  dollars  in  anv  other  flate.  This  inllitu« 
ticn  virill  prove  a  great  aid  to  the  commerce  and  n^aifUfaftures  of  thi? 
State. 

EDUCATION  AND  LITERATURE. 

The  old  la\ys   of  New-Rampftiire  required  every  town  of  one 
nundred  femilies  to  keep  a  grammar  fchool ;  by  which  was  meant 
^  fchool  in  which  the  learned  languages  fliould  be  taught,  and  youth 
^ight  be  prepared  for  admiflion  to  a  univerfity.    The  fame  pre- 
ceptor was  obliged  to  teach  reading,  writing,  and  arithmetic,  unleft 
^^e  town  was  of  fufficient  ability  to  keep  two  or  more  fchools,  one  of 
^hich  was  called  a  grammar  fchool  by  way  of  diflinftion. 
.   Several  inflances  occur  in  the  public  records,  as  far  back  as  the  year 
^7*2,  juft  at  the  beginning  of  an  Indian  war,  that  the  frontier  towns 
Petitioned  the  affembly  for  a  fpecial  a6l  to  exempt  them  from  the 
obligation  to  maintain  a  grammar  fchool  during  the  war.    The  in- 
^^Igence  was  granted  them,  but  only  on  ^his  condition,  **  that  they 
^ould  keep  a  fchool  for  reading,  writing  and  arithmetic;"  to  which 
^*^  towns  of  fifty  families  were  obliged.    In  later  times  the  conduft 
^^  the  fame  towns  has  been  very  different.    During  the  late  war  with 
.''itain,  not  only  thofe,  but  many  other  towns,  large  and  opulent 
^^^  far  removed  from  any  danger  by  the  enemy,  were  for  a  great 
'^^i*t  of  the  time  deftitute  of  any  public  fchools,  not  only  without 
Applying  to  the  legiflature  for  permiffion,  but  contrary  to  the  exprefs 
^^uirements  of  law,  and  notwithftanding  courts  of  juflice  were  fre- 
^^€ntly  holden,  and  grand  jurors  folemnly  fwom  and  charged  to 
^^cfcnt  all  breaches  of  law,  and  the  want  of  fchools  in  particular. 
^  Ws  negligence  was  one  among  many  evidences  of  a  moft  unhappy 
P^^oftration  of  morals  during  that  period ;  it  afforded  a  melancholy 
^rofpeft  to  the  friends  of  fcience  and  of  virtue,  and  excited  fome 

generous 


^Zq  GENERAL,  DESCRIPTION 

Iguxerous  and  philanthropic  perfons  to  devifc  other  methods  of  e 
cation.  ♦' 

Among  thefe  John  Phillips,  Efq.  of  Exeter,  was  the  firff  to  dii 
guifh  himfelf,  by  founding  and  endowing  a  feminary  of  Jearnin 
that  town ;  which,  in  the  year  1781,  was  by  an  ad  of  afTembly 
corporated  by  the  name  of  "  Phillips's  Exeter  Academy.*'  I 
placed  under  the  infpe6tion  of  a  board  of  tmftees,  and  is  governec 
a  preceptor  and  an  affiant.  In  this  academy  are  taught  the  lean 
languages,  the  principles  of  geography,  aftronomy,  mathemat 
and  logic,  befides  writing,  muiic,  compofition,  oratory,  and  virt 
The  fund  belonging  to  this  inftitution  is  valued  at  nearly  ten  th 
fand  pounds.  About  one  fifth  part  of  this  fund,  lying  in  lands, 
at  prefent  unproduftive,  but  the  a6lual  income  amounts  to  four  h 
dred  and  eighty  pounds  per  annum. 

Since  the  eflabjiihment  of  this  academy  feveral  others  have  b 
jereftcd;  one  of  which  U  at  New-Ipfwich;  it  was  incorporatec 
1789;  its  fund  is  about  one  thoufand  pounds;  the  number  of 
dents  is  generally  between  forty  and  fifty ;  the  price  of  tuition  is 
filling  per  week,  and  of  boarding  five  fhillings. 

There  is  another  academy  at  Atkinfon,  founded  by  Nathaniel  1 
body,  Efq.  and  incorporated .  by  the  general  court  in  the  year  1 5 
The  preceptor  has  been  chiefly  fupported  by  Mr.  Peabody ;  anc 
has  endowed  the  academy  with  a  donation  of  one  thoufand  acre 
land. 

Similar  inftitutions  have  been  begun  at  Amherfi:,  at  Charlefto 
and  at  Concord  5  which  though  at  prefent  in  a  flate  of  infancy, 
afford  a  pleafmg  profpeft  of  the  increafe  of  literature  in  various  p 
of  the  State. 

A  law  has  been  lately  made,  which  enforces  the  maintenance 
fbhpols  by  a  peculiar  fandlion ;  the  feled  men  of  the  feveral  to^ 
are  liable  to  jiave  the  fame  fum  diflrained  out  of  their  eflates,  wli 
would  be  fufficient  to  fupport  a  fchool  during  the  whole  time  in  wh 
they  neglei^  to  make  that  prpvifion.  This  law  is  fo  recent  that 
judgment  can  as  yet  be  formed  of  its  operation.  It  ihews,  howe% 
that  the  legiflature  are  attentive  to  this  moft  important  branch 
their  duty,  the  educatioii  of  the  rifing  generation. 

As  a  farther  evidence  of  the  progrefs  of  fcience,  focial  lil 

ries  are  eftablifhed  in  feveral  towns  in  this  State ;  and  in  the  } 

1791a  medical  fociety  was  incorporated  by  an  a£t  of  Alfembly,  1 

i  prefid 


'OF    NEW^HAMPSHIRE^  121 

pl^fident  of  thib  State  being  a  geatleman  of  the  faculty,  is  at  the  head 
^f  this  fociety. 

Syan  article  in  the  conflitution  of  the  State,  it  is  declared  to  be 
**  the  duty  of  legiflators  an'd  roagiftrates  to  cherifh  the  intereft  of 
Hterature  nod  the  fciences,  and  gll  feminaries  and  public  fchools ; 
to  encourage  private  and  public  inftitutions,  rewards,  and  immuni- 
ties for  the  promotion  of  agriculture,  arts,  fciences,  commerce, 
trades,  manufadtures,  and  the  natural  hiftory  of  the  country;  to 
countenance  and  inculcate  the  principles  of  humanity  and  general 
benevolence,  public  and  private  charity,  induftry    and  economy, 
ione%  and  punctuality,  fincerity,  fobriety,  and  all  focial  aflfe£lions 
and  gencroMS  fentiments  among  the  people."    As  far  as  public  rulers 
<»nfonn  to  this  article,  they  promote,  in  the  rooft  effectual  manner, 
the  true  intereft  and  profpcrity  of  their  country. 
•  The  eftablifliment  of  Dartmouth  College  in  the  weftern  border 
of  the  State,  has  proved  a  great  benefit  to  the  new  fettlements,  and 
<o  the'neighbouring  State  of  Vermont.    During  the  late  war,  like  all 
<*ther  fenimaries  of  literature,  it  lay  under  difcouragement ;  but  iince 
Ac  peace  it  is  in  a  more  flourifliing  fituation. 

^^  landed  interefl  amounts  to  about  eighty  thoufand  acres,  of 

'''Wch  twelve  hundred  lie  contiguous,  and  are  capable  of  thebeft 

improvement.    Twelve  thoufand  acres  are  fituate  in  Vermont.    A 

•^di  of  eight  miles  fquare  beyond  the  northern  line  of  Stuart-town 

'  ^3s  granted  by  the  Aflembly  of  New-Hampfhire  in  1789,  and  in  the 

«ft  by  which  this  grant  was  made,  "  the  prefident  and  council  of 

"Je  State  for  the  time  being  arc  incorporated  with  the  truftees  of  the 

^^^cge,  fo  far  as  to  a6t  with  them  in  regard  to  the  expenditures 

**d  application  of  this  grant,  and  of  all  others  which  have  been  or 

''"^y  be  hereafter  made  by  New-Hampfliire." 

The  revenue  of  the  college  arifmg  from  the  lands,  amounts  to  one 
hundred  and  forty  pounds  per  annum.  By  contra6ts  already  made  it 
^^*^^  amount  in  four  years  to  four  hundred  and  fifty ;  and  in  twelve 
y^^s  to  fix  hundred  and  fifty  pounds.  The  income  arifing  from 
tuition  money  is  about  fix  hundred  pounds  per  annum  more. 

The  firfl  building  erected  for  the  accommodation  of  the  ftudenta 
^^^  a  few  years  fince  burned.  A  lottery  was  granted  by  the 
^tate  for  ralfing  the  fum  of  feven  hundred  pounds,  which  has  been 
*PpUed  to  the  eredtion  of  a  new  building,  much  more  convenient 
^*^  the  former  5  it  was  conftrudted  of  wood,  and  flands  in  an  elera- 
^  fituation,  about  half  a  mile  eaftward  of  Coxinedticut  river  in  the 
Vol.  II.  R  to^fliip 


tAl  OfeNEIlAL  DESCRIfYlOir 

townfiiip  4>f  Hanover,  commanding  an  extenfiire  and  pba&iiC  fM 

pe&  to  the  weft.  It  is  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  long,  Mty  i 
wide,  and  thirt]r-flx  feet  high,  and  contains  thirty-fix  chamber! 
fhKlent»«  The  number  of  ftudents  who  were  graduated  id  the  ti 
nineteen  years^  amounts  to  two  hundred  and  fifty-two,  among-iiAK 
•were  two  Indians.  In  the  year  1790,  the  number  of  undergrade 
man  about  one  hundred  and  fifty. 

The  (Indents  are  divided  into  four  dafles.    The  frefti  tticn  fti 
^  learned  languages,  the  rules  of  fpeaking  and  writing,  and 
clement^'of  mathematics. 

The  fophomores  attend  to  the  languages,  geography,  logic 
mathematics. 

The  junior  fophifters,  befide  the  languages,  enter  on  natural ; 
moral  philofophy  and  compofition. 

The  feiiior  clafs  compofe  in  Eoglilh  and  Latin ;  fludy  metap 
£cs,  the  elements  of  natural  and  political  law« 

The  principal  books  ufed  by  ^e  fhidents  are  Lowth's  Eng 
Grammar,  Perry's  DiAionary,  Pike's  Arithnnetic,  Guthrie's  Greof 
phy.  Ward's  Mathematics,  Atkinfon'i  l£pitome,  Hammond's  Alget 
Martin's  and  Enfield^s  Natural  Philofophy^  Fergufon's  Aftronoi 
Iiocke's  Bflay,  Montefquieu's  Spirit  of  Laws,  and  fiuriemaqui's  ] 
tural  and  Political  Law. 

Befides  thefe  iludies,  lei^res  are  read  tb  the  fcholars  in  theob 
and  ecclefiailical  hiflory. 

There  is  an  examination  of  each  clafs  once  in  the  year,  and  tli 
who  are  not  found  qualified  for  their  (landing  are  put  into  a  I01 
clafs. 

The  annual  coftomencement  is  held  on  die  fourth  Wednefda] 
Augufl.    There  are  two  vacations,  one  following  commenced 
and  continuing  fix^weeks  and  two  days ;  the  other  beginning  on 
fourth  Monday  in  February,   and  continuing  five  weeks  and 
tiays. 

CONSTITUTION. 

The  conftitution  of  the  State  which  was  adopted  in  1784,  is  tal 
almoft  verbatim,   from  that  of  MafTachufetts.    The  principal 
ferences,  except  fuch  as  arife  from  local  circumfiances,  are  the 
lowing :  the  (liles  of  the  conflitutions,  and  of  the  fupreme  ma 
trates  in  each  State,  are  different.    In  one  it  is  *^  Governor  of 

Commonwealtb^of  Ma(Iachufett«|^  ia  the  other,  ^  Prcfiidcnt  of 


Of   KBW-HAMPSHIRE.  I23 

State  of  New-Hampihire/'    In  each  State,  the  fupreme  magiftrato 
has  the  title  of  <«  His  Excellency.'* 

The  Prefident  of  New-Hampfhire,  like  the  Governor  of  Mafc 

Cachufetts,  has  not  the  power  of  negativing  all  bills  and  refolves  of 

the  Senate  and  Houfe  of  Reprefentatives,  and  of  preventing  their 

paffing  into  laws^  nnlefs  approved  of  by  two-thirds  of  the  members 

prefimt  In  New-Hamplhire  **  the  Prefident  of  State  prefides  in  the 

fenate,''  in  Maflachufetts  the  fenate  choofe  their  own  Prefident. 

There  are  no  other  differences  worth  mentioning,  excfept  it  be  in 
the  mode  of  appointing  militia  officers^  in  which  New-Hampfliire  ha^ 
greatly  the  advantage  of  Maflachufetts. 

To  preferve  an  adherence  to  the  principles  of  the  conftitution,  and 
to  make  fuch  alterations  as  experience  might  point  out,  and  render 
neceflaiy,  provifioQ  was  made,  that  at  the  end  of  feven  ye^irs  a  con^ 
ijifl  ventioa  ihould  be  called  to  revi&  the  form  of  governipent,  agreeably 
to  which,  in  1 79 1,  a  convention  was  called,  who  fettled  the  confii« 
itttiou  on  the  feme  general  plan  J  fov^hich^^/frMf^ifttf/inu 


i.\> 


R  t  STATE 


(     "4    ) 


STATE    OF 


MASSACHUSETTS- 


SITUATION,  EXTENT,  AND  BOUNDARIES. 


M. 


AS8ACHUSETTS,  which  may  be  confidered  as  the  parent 
of  New-England,  is  fituated  between  41^  30'  and  43*^  north  lati 
and  1^  30'  and  5°  40'  longitude,  eaft  of  Philadelphia :  its  len^ 
about  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  miles,  and  its  breadth  about 
k  is  bounded  on  the  north  ty  the  States  of  Vermont  and  '. 
Hampfhire,  on  the  eaft  by  the  Atlantic  ocean,  on  the  fouth  t 
Atlantic,  Rhode  Ifland,  and  Connefticut,  and  on  the  weft  by 
York ;  its  air  and  climate  the  fame  as  already  defcribqd  in  the 
ral  account  of  New-England.* 

FACE  OF  THE  COUNTRY,  SEA.COAST,  &c. 

This  State,  like  the  other  States  of  New-England,  is  higl 
hilly :  Wackburft  mountain,  in  Prince-Town,  is  at  its  top 
thoufand  nine  hundred  and  eighty-nine  feet  from  the  level  of  th 
and  the  town  itfelf  one  thoufand  three  hundred  and  thirty. twc 
The  whole  ftate  is  well  watered  with  numerous  rivers  and  fpr 
many  of  the  former  are  of  the  utmoft  importance  to  the  inhabi 
by  the  ready  and  eafy  carriage  they  afford  •  for  their  different  ai 
of  produce. 

Houfatonick  river  rifes  from  feveral  fources  in  the  weftern  p.- 
this  State,  and  flows  foutherly  through  Connecticut  into  Long 
found.  Deerfield  river  falls  into  Connecticut  river,  from  the 
between  Deerfield  and  Greenfield.  A  moft  excellent  and  bea 
tra6t  of  meadow  lies  on  its  banks.  Weftfield  river  empties  in 
Connecticut  at  Weft-Springfield.  Connecticut  river  paffes  th 
this  State,  and  interfeCts  the  county  of  Hampfliire:  in  its  cou 
runs  over  the  falls  above  Deerfield,  and  between  Northampto 
Springfiqjd.    A  company,  by  the  name  of  **  Th^  Proprietors 

^  See  pages  i  and  3. 


GENERAL  DESCRIPTION,    &C.  t^^ 

th  and  Canals  on  Connc£ticut  river,"  was  incorporated  by  tin 

meral  court  in  1792,   for  the  purpofe  of  rendering  Conne^icut 

river  paflable  for  boats  and  other  things,  from  Chicapee  river  north- 

ward  to  New-Hampfliire.     Miller's  and  Chicapee  rivers  fall  into 

Conne6Hcut  on  the  caft  fide ;  the  former  at  Northfield,  the  latter  at 

Springfield. 

In  the  eaftcm  part  of  the  State  is  the  Merriraaclc,  which  we  have 

already  in  part  defcribed.    It  is  navigable  for  veiTels  of  burden  about 

twenty  miles  from  its  mouth,  where  it  is  obftruded  by  the  firft  falls, 

or  rapids,  called  Mitchell's  Eddy,  between  Bradford  and  HaverhilU 

Vaft  quantities  of  fhip  timber,  ranging  timber,  plank,  deals,  clap- 

l>oard8,  Ihingles,   ftaves,  and  other  lumber,  are  brought  down  ia 

nfts,  fo  conftrufted  as  to  pafs  all  the  falls  in  the  river  except  thofe 

of  Amulkaeg  and  Pantucket.    In  the  fpring  and  fummer  confident* 

We  quantities  of  falmon,  (liad,  and  alewives  are  caught,  which  aro 

either  ufed  as  bait  in  the  cod  fifliery,  or  pickled  and  fliipped  to  the 

^t;ll  Indies,     There  are  twelve  ferries  acrofs  this  river  in  the  county 

<>f  HiTcx.     The  bar  acrofs  the  mouth  of  this  river  is  a  very  great 

incumbrance  to  the  navigation,  and  is  efpecially  terrible  to  ftrangers. 

There  are  fixteen  feet  water  upon  it  at  common  tides.    In  1 787  the 

general  court  granted  a  fum  of  money  for  the  eredlion  of  two  fuffi- 

cient  light-houfes,    and  made  the  maintenance  of  them  a  public 

<^barge.    The  houfes  are  of  wood,  and  contrived  to  be  removed  at 

P^eafure,  fo  as  to  be  always  conformed  to  the  fhifting  of  the  bar  ; 

^^^  thus  the  fingle  rule  of  bringing  them  in  a  line  will  be  the  only 

^^celTary  dlreftion  for  veflels  approaching  the  harbour,  and  by  this 

direftion  they  may  fail  with  fafety  until  they  are  abreaft  of  the  lights, 

where  is  a  bold  fliore  and  good  anchoring  ground.    The  bridges  over 

*nis  river  will  be  mentioned  under  that  head. 

^afhua,  Concord,  and  Shawflieen  rivers  rife  in  this  State,  and  run 
*  Horth-eafterly  courfe  into  the  Merrimack.  Parker's  river  takes  its 
'^^^^  in  Rowley,  and  after  a  courfe  of  a  few  miles,  pafles  into  the 
^^^d  which  feparates  Plum  Ifland  from  the  main  land.  It  is  navi- 
S^'^le  about  two  miles  from  its  mouth.  Ipfwich  and  Chebacco 
J^^rs  pafs  through  the  town  of  Ipfwich  into  Ipfwich  bay.  Miftick 
^^^r  falls  into  Boflon  harbour,  eaft  of  the  peninfula  of  Charleilown : 
^  "^3  navigable  three  miles  to  Medfprd. 

C^harles  river  is  a  conliderable  ftream,  the  principal  branch  of 
^nich  rifes  from  a  pond  bordering  on  Hopkinton  :  it  paifes  through 
♦^Vllifton  and  BeUingharo,   and  divides  Medway  from  Medfield, 

Wrentham, 

*  Sec  page  9. 


126  GENERAL   DEgCRIPTIOM 

Wrentham  and  Franklin^  and  thence  into  Dedham,  where,  by 
cnrioDs  bend,  it  forms  a  peninfula  of  nine  hundred  acres  of  h 
and  what  is  very  lingular,  a  flream  called  Mother  Brook,  nms  out     ^^3 
^U  riTinr,  in  this  town,  and  falls  into  Nepoofet  r\ver,  which  anfw^^j] 
to  a  canal  uniting  the  twp  rivers,  and  affords  a  number  of  excell^iiC 
mill  feats.  From  Dedham  the  courfe  of  the  river  is  northerly  throia.  ^ 
>?ewtoB,  paffing  over  romantic  falls — it  then  bends  to  the  north-ea/l 
and  eail,  through  Watertown  and  Cambridge,  and  paiTes  into  Bof^oim 
harbour,  between  CharleHown  and  Boflon  :  it  is  navigable  for  boai:s 
to  Watertown  feven  miles. 

Neponfet  river  originates  chiefly  from  Muddy  and  Punkapor^ 
Totidi  in  Stoughton,  and  Maihapog  Fond  in  Sharqn,  and  after  paffin^ 
over  falls  fufficient  to  carry  mills,  unites  with  other  fmall  ilreams 
and  forms  a  very  conftant  fupply  of  water  for  the  many  mills  fituate* 
on  the  river  below,  until  it  meets  the  tide  in  Milton,  from  whence  i 
is  navigable  for  vefTels  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  tons  burthen  to 
bay,  diflant  about  four  miles*  Neponfet  river,  from  Milton  to  thi 
Bay,  forms  a  regular  and  beautiful  ferpeatine,  interfperied  with  hi] 
locks  of  wood  fo  regularly  placed,  that  from  Milton  Hill  it  afford: 
«>ne  of  the  finefl  profpedis  in  the  world.  Faffing  Fore  and  Back  river 
in  Weymouth,  you  come  to  North  river^  which  rifes  in  Indian-Hea( 
pond,  in  Pembroke,  and  running  in  a  ferpentine  courfe  between  Sci 
tuate  and  Marilifield,  paiTes  to  the  fea.  This  river  for  its  iize  ir  - 
remarkable  for  its  great  depth  of  water,  it  being  in  fome  places  no  ^ 
inoje  than  forty  or  fifty  feet  wide,  and  yet  veflels  of  three  hundre( 
tons  are  built  at  Pembroke,  eighteen  miles,  as  the  river  runs,  fronx 
Its  mouth.  This  river  is  navigable  for  boats  to  the  firSt  fall,  five 
miles  from  its  fource  in  Indian-Read  pond ;  thence  to  the  neareft 
waters  which  run  into  Taunton  river  is  only  three  miles.  A  canal 
to  connect  the  waters  of  thefe  two  rivers,  which  communicate  with 
Narraganfet  and  Maflachufetts  bays,  would  be  of  great  utilitv,  as  it 
would  fave  a  long  and  dangerous  navigation  round  Cape  Cod. 

Taunton  river  is  made  up  of  feveral  ftreams  which  unite  in  or 
near  the  town  of  Bridgwater.  Its  courfe  is  from  N,  E,  to  S.  W.  till 
it  falls  into  Narraganfet  bay  at  Tiverton,  oppofite  the  north  end  of 
Fhodelfland.  Ii  receives  a  coniiderable  tributary  llream  at  Tauntoa 
from  the  north- wefl.    The  head  waters  of  Pantucket  and  Providence 

« 

rivers  in  Rhode  Ifland,  and  of  Q^iirinabaug  and  Shetucket  rivers  in 
Connecticut,  and  feveral  other  inferior  flreams^  which  run  in  V2(« 
rious  directions  and  anfwer  various  purpofeS|  are  in  this  State, 

The 


or    MASSACHUSETTS.  I27 

The  only  capes  of  note  on  the  coaft  of  this  State,  are  Cape  Ann 
on  the  north  fide  of  Maffachufetts  bay,  and  Cape  Cod  on  the  fouth* 
C^ape  Cod,  fo  called  from  the  quantiry  of  cod  fi(h  which  am 
found  on  its  coail,  is  the  fouth-eafterly  part  of  the  connmonweakh 
of  Mafifachufetts :  in  flinpe  it  refembles  a  man's  arm  when  bende4 
^vith  the  hand  turned  inward  towards  the  body.  The  Cape  com- 
prehends the  county  of  Barnftable,  and  is  between  feventy  and  eightf 
miles  in  length. 

Prorince-town  is  the  hook  of  the  Cape,  and  is  generally  narrom^ 
^Tie  wideft  place  not  being  more  than  three  miles  in  extent.  The 
l^arbour,  which  is  one  of  the  befl  in  the  State,  opens  to  the  fouthward, 
st.nd  has  depth  of  water  for  any  (hips.  This  place  has  often  been 
in  a  fkate  of  rapid  improvement,  and  as  often  gone  to  decay;  it  is 
<^o\r  rifing.  It  contains  about  ninety  families,  whofe  whole  depen- 
dence is  upon  the  fea  for  their  fupport :  they  employ  about  twenty 
l^il  of  veffels,  great  and  fmall,  in  the  cod  fifiiery  :  they  have  been  re- 
^^xiarkably  faccefsful  of  late.  Ten  of  their  veffels  employed  in  17^ 
^upon  the  grand  Bank^  took  eleven  thoufand  quintals  of  cod  fi(h« 
"They  have  fcarce  lofH  a  veffel  or  a  man  in  the  bufinefs  fince  the  war« 

The  houfes  ftand  upon  the  inner  fide  of  the  hook  of  the  Cape, 
fronting  fouth-caftf  and  looking  into  the  harbour  :  they  are  fmall^ 
one  ftory  high,  and  fct  up  on  blocks  or  piles,  that  the  driving  fands 
n^ay  pafs  under  them,  otherwife  they  would  be  buried  in  fand.    The 
hopfcs  ftand  in  one  range  upon  the  beach  ;  the  flakes  on  which  they 
*ry  their  filh  are  round  them;  the  veffels  run  in  upon  the  Ihofe,. 
.^hich  is  a  fbft  fand,  throw  their  fifli  over,  where  they  are  wafliod 
^        from  the  fait,  and  carried  up  to  the  flakes  on  hand-barrows. 
I  T*hey  raife  nothing  from  their  lands,  but  are  wholly  dependent 

^P^nBofton  market  and  other  places  for  every  kind  of  vegetable  pro- 

*There  are  but  two  horfes  and  two  yoke  of  oxen  kept  in  the  town : 

^^  have  about  fifty  cows,  which  feed  in  the  fpring  upon  beach 

8^fs,  which  grows  here  and  there  upon  the  iliore ;  and  in  fummer 

^*^cy  feed  in  the  funken  ponds  and  marfliy  places,  that  are  found  be* 

^^ccn  the  fand  hills.    Here  the  cows  are  feen  wading,  and  even 

M^imming,  plun^ng  theu:  heads  into  the  water  up  to  their  horns, 

P^ng  a  fcanty  fubfiflence  from  the  roots  and  herbs  produced 

^  the  water.    They  arc  fed  in  the  vrinter  on  fcdgc  cut  upon  the 

]^copt; 


V 


13<^  (^ENERAIi    DESCRIPTION 

crops  of  eorn  and  rye^  beyond  what  the  (and  promiies  id  W 
appearance.  But  after  all  that  has  been  or  that  can  be  done, 
the  lands  of  Cape  Cod  can  never  fupport  its  inhabitants,  wkidi 
are  nearly  feventeen  thoufand*  A  great  part  of  the  men  and 
boys  are  conAantly  employed  at  fea.  In  this  bufinefs  they  fupport 
themfelves  and  families ;  and  it  is  obferved,  that  the  young  people 
form  family  connexions  earlier  in  life  than  in  any  other  part  of  the 
country;  which,  perhaps,  is  one  evidence  that  the  means  of  fub- 
fiflence  are  eaiily  obtainable.  Cape  Cod  is  a  nurfery  for  feameo, 
and,  in  this  view,  one  of  the  rcoft  important  places  in  this  State,  or 
in  America.  If  the  fupporting  of  a  navy,  extending  foreign  com- 
itierce,  or  bringing  forth  from  the  bowels  of  the  ocean  the  riches  it 
contains,  are  bkffings  to  any  nation,  the  Americans  may  coniider  the 
inhabitants  of  the  Cape  as  the  moft  valuable  among  their  countrymen. 
The  Cape  abounds  with  clear  frefli  ponds,  generally  flocked  with 
fifli  t  there  is  little  funlcen  land ;  the  wood  on  the  Cape  is  generally 
pitch  pine :  there  are  £tw  or  no  flones  below  Barpftable  :  the  cellars 
are  waDcd  with  brick,  in  a  circular  form,  to  prevent*  the  loofe  fand 
from  caving  in  i  the  wells  are  fecured  in  the  famd  manner,  and  they 
are  obliged  to  keep  them  covered  to  prevent  the  fand  from  Hew- 
ing in  and  fpoiling  the  water.  Formerly,  the  inhabitants  took  many 
whales  round '  the  Cape,  chiefly  in  Maflachufctts  Bay ;  but  that 
buiinefs  is  almofl  at  an  end.  The  manner  of  taking  black  fifh  U 
fomewhat  fingular ;  they  arc  a  fiili  of  the  whale  kind,  of  about  fiv< 
tons  weight,  and  produce  oil  in  the  fame  manner  as  a  whale.  Whet 
a  flioal  of  thtim  is  difcoVered,  which  fometimes  conliils  of  fevcrai 
hundreds,  the  inhabitants  put  off  in  boats,  get  without  them,  ail< 
drive  them  like  fo  many  cattle  on  to  the  fliore  and  flats,  where  thej 
are  left  by  the  tide  and  fall  an  eafy  prey.  The  fiiore  of  the  Cape  i 
in  many  places  covered  with  the  huge  bones  of  thefe  fifli  and  o 
Whales,  which  remain  unconffumed  for  many  years. '  Many  perfo^ 
conjedurc,  that  the  Cape  is  gradually  wearing  away,  and  that  it  wi- 
finally  fall  a  facrifice  to  the  ravages  of  the  winds  and  the  feas,  an 
many  circumllances  favour  fuch  an  opinion.  At  Province-Tow 
Harbour,  ftqmps  of  trees  are  feen,  which  the  fea  now  covers  in  cona 
^jnon  tides.  When  the  £ngli(h  firfl  fettled  upon  the  Cape,  ther 
was  an  ifland  off  Chatham,  at  three  leagues  diftance,  called  Webb* 
Ifland,  containing  twenty  acres,  covered  with  red  cedar  or  favin 
the  inhabitants  of  Nantucket  ufed  to  fetch  wood  from  it.  ThS 
ifland  has  been  wholly  worn  away  for  almoft  a  century.    A  largr: 

roc' 


e: 


i» 


j: 


OF    MASSACHUSETTS,  I3I 

rDc][  tha^  was  upon  the  iflondy  and  which  fettled  as  the  earth  waflied 

Wijf  now  marks  the  place ;  it  rife^  as  much  above  the  bottom  of 

the  fea,  as  it  ufed  to  rife  above  the  furface  of  the  ground :  tlie  water 

is  Bx  ^thorns  deep  on  this  fpot :  and  in  many  places  on  the  Cape 

the  fea  is  evidently  encroaching  on  the  land. 

The  Cape  is  fb  expofed  to  winds  in  every  dire^^ioq,  that  fruit  trees 
do  not  thrive :  there  are  few  orchards  of  anv  confeauence  below 
Barnftable ;  there  is  not  a  cyder  piill  in  the  country.  In  many 
places,  their  foreft  trees  have  more  the  appearance  of  a  prim  hedge 
thau  of  timber. 

The  Cape,  however,  is  an  healthy  fituatioq,  except  for  thofe  conAi* 
tutions  which  are  too  delicate  for  the  piercing  winds  that  come  from 
the  fea,  and  the  inhabitants  in  general  live  as  long  as  in  the  other  parts 
of  the  northern  States. 
The  winds,  in  every  direftion,  come  from  the  fea ;  and  invalids, 
71  hj  viGting  the  Cape,  fometimes  experience  the  fame  benefit  as  from 
going  to  fea.* 
The  principal  bays  on  the  coaft  of  Maflachufetts  are,  Ipfwich, 
.  Mon,  Plymouth,  Barnftable^  and  Buzzard's  bays.    Many  iflands  are 
icattered   along  the  coaft,    and  \he  moft  noted  of  which  is  Plum 
Ifland,  which  is  about  nine  miles  in  length,  extending  from  Merri- 
mack river  on  the  north,  to  the  entrance  of  Ipfwich  river  on  the 
fouth,  and  is  feparated  from  the  main  land  by  a  narrow  found,  called 
Plum  Ifland  river,  fordable  in  fcveral  places  at  low  water.    It  con- 
fifts  principally  of  fand,  blown  into  curious  heaps,  and  crowned  with 
bnflies  bearing  the  beach  plum.     There  is,  however,  a  valuable 
popcrty  of  fait  marfli,  and  at  the  fouth  end  of  the  ifland  are  two  or 
three  good  farms :  on  the  north  end  are  the  light-boufes  before 
i^entioned :  on  the  fea  (hore  of  this  illand,  and  on  -Salifbury  beach, 
Ac  Marine  Society,  and  other  gentlemen  of  Newbury  Port,  hflvc 
liumanely  ere<Eted  feveral  fmall  houfes,  fiirnifhed  with  fuel  and  other 
<^OQveniencies,  for  the  relief  of  the  mariners  who  may  be  iliipwrecked 
on  this  coaft. 

ISLANDS. 

There  are  feveral  iflands  dependent  on  this  State,  the  principal  of 

^^Kh  is  Nantucket. Ifland :  it  lies  fouth  of  Cape  Cod,  and  contains 

twcnty-three  thoufand  acres,  including  the  beach.    As  the  ifland  is 

^  and  fendy,  it  is  calculated  only  for  thofe  people  who  are  willing 

*  Sec  MafTachufctts  Magazine  for  March,  1791. 

S  a  to 


134  GENERAL    DESiCRIPTiON 

to  depend  almoft  entirely  on  the  watery  clement  for  fubiiflencew 
The  ifland  of  itfelf  conftitutes  one  county  by  the  name  of  Nantucket* 
it  has  but  one  town,  called  Sherborne,  and  fends  one  reprefentativet^ 
the  General  A^Tembly ;  Sherborne  confifts  of  about  five  hundred  ai% 
jthirly  houics,  that  have  been  framed  on  the  main  j  they  are  lath^ 
and  plaftered  within,  h^ndfomely  paint e;d  and  boarded  without ;  ea.^ 
has  a  cellar  underneath,  built  with  flones  fetched  alfo  from  V3 
main  ;  they  are  all  of  a  fimilar  conftru(5lion  and  appearance  ^  pla/' 
and  entirely  devoid  of  exterior  or  interior  ornament.  It  ftands  on  a 
rifing  fandrbank,  on  the  weft  fide  of  the  hsirbour,  which  is  very  fafe 
from  all  winds,  and  regularly  ^fcep,d§  toward  the  country,  and  ia 
its  vicinage  th^rc  are  feveral  fmall  fields  and  gardens,  (yearly  manured 
with  th^  dung  of  the  cows  and  the  foil  of  the  ftrcets)  in  which  there 
are  a  good  nanny  oUerry  and  peach  trees  planted,,  as  well  as  in  many 
other  places;  the.  apple-tree  does  not  thrive  well,  and  therefore 
Vut  f(;w  are  planted.  The  iiland  contains  no  mountains,  yet  is  very 
uneven  j  and  the  many  rifing  grounds  and  eminences,  with  which  it 
is  fitted ,  have  formed  in  the.  feveral  vallies  a  great  variety  of  fwamps 
where  the  Indian-grafs  and. the  blue-bent,  peculiar  to  fuch  foils,  grov 
with  tolerable  luxuriancy.  3ome  of  the  fwamps  abound  with  pea'' 
which  ferves  the  poor  inllead  of  fire-wood.  There  are  fourte^ 
ponds  on  this  iiland,  all  extremely  ufefnl,  feme  lying  tranfverfel 
ajmoft  acrQfs  it,  which  greatly  help  to  divide  it  into  partitions  for  tl' 
ufe  of  the  qattle ;  others  abound  with  peculiar  ^di  and  fca  fowl.— 
The  llreets  are  not  paved,  but  this  is  attended  with  little  incom' 
nience,  as  it  is  never  crow^ded  with  country  carriages;  and  thofe  th^ 
Juve  in  the  town  are.  fcldom  made  ufe  of  but  in  the  time  of  comi«: 
in,  and  befr^r^  the  failing,  of  their  fleets. 

The.  inhabitants  formerly  carried  on  the  mod  confiderable  wh^ 
fi'fliery  on  the  coaft,  but  the  war  almoft  ruined  this  bufiriefs.     Tta 
ha\e  fince,  ht.w^ever,  revived  it  ?gain,  and  purfue  the  w::alcs  ev 
i^to  the  great  Pacific  Ocean. 

There  are  near  the  wharfs  a  great  many  ftorehoufes,  where  ^ 
Hapltf  comaiodity  is  depofitecl,  as.v^'.eil  as  the  innumerable  matcrS 
which  are  ^ilways  wanted  to  repair  and  fit  out  fo  many  wbalem  — 
They  have  three  docks,  cacli  three  hundred  feet  long,  and  eMrcm 
convenient ;  at  the  head  of  which  there  are   ten   feet  of  water 
Tbefe  docks  are  bgilr,  l.ke  thofe  in  Doftpn,with  Ifigs  fetched  from 
continent,  filled  with  ftones,  and  covered  with  fand.     Between  th^ 
docks  and  the  town  there  is  room  fufiicicnt  los  the  iaijdlng  of  goer:: 


or    MASSACHUSETTS.  IJ^ 

and  for  the  pafTagc  of  their  numerous  carts ;  for  almoft  every  man 

here  has  one  :  the  wharJFs,  to  the  north  ^nd  fouth  of  the  docks,  are.^ 

buiitof  the  fame  materials,  and  give  a  ftranger,  at  his  firft  landing, 

a  hi^h  idea   of   the  profperity   of   thefe.  people:   there  is  room 

around  thefe  thr^e  docks  for  three  hundred  fail  of  vefiels.    Whca 

their  fleets  have  been  fuccefsful,  the  buftle  and  hurry  of  buCnefs  on  this 

(pot  for  fome  days  after  their  arrival,  would  make  a  ftranger  iiiwgine 

that  Sherborne  was  the  capital  of  a  very  opulent  and  large  province. 

On  that  point  of  land,  which  forms  the  weft  fide  of  the  harbour, 

ilands  a  very  neat  light-houfe;  the  oppofitc  peninfiila,  called  Cotton, 

fecufes    it  from  the  moft  dangerous  winds.     There  are  but  few 

arable   fields    in    the    neighb(3urhood  of   the  town,    for  nothing' 

can  be  more  fterile  and  fandy  than  this  part  of  the  ifland ;  the 

inhabitants  have,  however,  with  unwearied  perfevcrance,  by  bringing' 

a  variety  of  manure,  and  by  cow-penning,  enriched  leveral  fpot?^ 

where  th^y  raife  Indian  corn,  potatoes,  pompioiis,  turnips,  S:c.     On 

the  highcft  part  of  this  fandy  eminence  four  windmills  grind  the 

grain  they  raife  and  import ;  and  contiguous  to  them  a  rope-walk  is 

to  be  feen,  where  full  half  of  the  cordage  ufed  in*  their  fifliing  is 

Ji^anufadured.     Between  the  fliores  of  the  harbour,  the  docks,  and 

the  town,  there  is  a  mod  excellent  piece  of  meadow,  inclofed  an<l 

Manured  with  fiich  coft  and  pains  as  lliew  how  neceflary  and  pre- '^ 

Clous  grafs   is  at  Nantucket.     Towards  the  point  of  Sheraah  the* 

Jfland  is  more  level  and  the  foil  better;  and  there  the  inhabitants 

"3ve  confiderable  lots  well  fenced  and  richly  manured.     There  arc 

"Ut  very  few  farms  on  tKis  ifland,  be'caufe  there  are  but  very  few 

^ots  that  will  admit  of  cultivation  without  the  aliiftancc  of  dung  andL 

^ther  manure,  which  is  very  cxpenfive  to  fetch  from  the  main. 

*  his  ifland  was  patented  in  the  year  1671    by  twenty-feven  pro* 

Pfietors,  under  the  province  of  New-York,  which  then  claimed  alj 

^*^e  iflands  from  the  Neway  Sink  to  Cape  Cod.    They  found  it  fof 

^niverfally  barren,   and  fo  unfit  for  cultivation,  tliiit  they  mutually 

^E^'ecd  not  to  divide  it,  as  each  could  neither  live  on,  nor  improve 

^«at  lot  which  might  fall  to  his  fliare:  diey  then  cad  their  eyes  on 

^^^  fea,  and  £nding  themfelves  obliged  to  become  fifliermcn,  they 

^^oked  for  a  harbour^  and  having  found  cue,  the}'  determined  to 

^^ild  a  town  in  its  neighbourhood  and  to  dwell  togelhcr  ;  for  that 

P^^pofe  they  furvcyed  as  much  ground  as  would  afford  to  each,  what 

'*   generally  called   here,    a  home-lot.     Forty  acres  were  thougltt 

*^ftcient  to  aofwer  this  puipofc ;    for,  to  what  end  Ihould  they 

covet 


1^  CENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

rovet  more  land  than  they  couH  improve^  or  even  inebfe?  not 
being  poffelTcd  of  a  fingle  tree  in  the  whole  extent  of  their  new^  do* 
minion. 

This  ifland  furniflies  the  naturalifts  with  few  or  no  object  worthy 
obfervation  :  it  appears  to  be  the  uneven  fummit  of  a  iandy  fiibma* 
rine  mountainy  covered  here  and  there  with  forrel,  grafs,  a  few  ccd^ 
builies,    and  fcrubby  oaks  ;the  fwamps  are  much  more  valuable 
for  the  peat  they  contain  than  for  the  trifling  pafhire  of  their  furface ; 
thofe  declining  grounds  which  lead  to  the  Tea  (horei  abound  with 
beach  grafs,  a  light  fodder  when  cut  and  cured,  but  very  good  vihcn 
fed  green.    On  the  eaft  fide  of  the  ifland  there  are  feveral  trach 
of  fait  gtafTes,  which  being  carefully  fenced,  yield  a  confiderable 
quantity  of  that  wholtffome  fodder*    Among  the  many  ponds  or 
lakes  with  which  this  iHand  abounds,  there  are  (ome  which  have  been 
made  by  the  intrufion  of  the  fea,  fuch  as  Wiwidiah,  the  Long,  the 
Narrow,  and  feveral  others,  confequently  thofe  are  fait ;  at  peculiar 
high  tides  a  great  number  of  fifh  enter  into  them,  where  they  fcc<i 
a^nd  gnjw  large,    and  at  fomc  feafoijs  of   the  year,    the  inhabi^^ 
tants  aflcmble  and  cut  down  the  fmall  bars  which  the  waves  always  ^ 
throw  up.     By  thefe  eafy  means  the  waters  of  the  pond  are  1^^ 
out,  and  as  the  fiih  follow  their  native  element,  the  inhabitants  wit^ 
proper  nets  catch  as  many  as  they  want  in  their  way  out  witho 
any  other  troublfe.     Thofe  which  are  moft  common  are  the  iVreak 
bafs,  the  blue-Hfh,  the  tom-cod,   the  mackarel,  -the  tew*tag,  t 
herring,  the  flounder,  eel,  &c.    Fiftiing  \spnc  of  the  greateft  dive 
fions  the  ifland  affords.     At  the  weft  end  lies  the  harbour  of  Ma 
diket,  formed  by  Smith  Point  on  the  fouth-wefl,  by  Eel  Point 
tl^e  norlh,  and  TTuckanut  Ifland  on  the  north-weft ;  but  it  is  neith^ 
fo  fafe  nor  fo  good  andioring  ground  as  that  near  which  the  to 
itands :  three  fmall  creeks  run  into  it,  which  yield  eels  of  a  bitt^ 
t^e.   Not  far  tVoni  Shemah  Point  there  is  a  confiderable  track  of  ev( 
ground,  being  the  leaft  fandy  on  the  ifland.    It  is  divided  into  fevc 
^Ids,  one  of  which  is  planted  by  that  part  of  the  community  whi 
ate  entit1e4  to  it.     This  is  called  the  common  plantation,  a 
but  ufeful  expedient ;  for  were  each  holder  of  this  track  to  fence 
property,  it  would  require  a  prodigious  quantity  of  pofts  and  ralK  -^ 
which  are  to  be  purchafed  and  fetched  from  the  main.    Inflead  ^ 
thofe   private  fubdivifions,  each  man's  allotment  of  land  is  throw^^^ 
into  the  general  field,  which  is  fenced  at  the  expcnfe  of  the  parties  "^ 
within  it  every  one  does  with  his  own  portion  of  the  ground  wh 


^  OF    MASSACHUSETTS*  IJJ 

t\Trhcplcafcs.    This  apparent  community  favcs  a  very  material 
iekpenfe,  a  grelat  deal  df  laboUr^  and^  p'lf  rhaps,  raifes  a  ibrt  of  emula- 
cioQ  amoflg  them  virhich  urges  every  one  to  fei^iiize  his  (hare  tvith 
the  greateft  care  knd  attention.    Thus  every  (even  years  the  whole 
tifthii  track  is  under  cultivatibri,    iind  enriched  by  manure  and 
ploughing,  yields  afterwards  excellent  pafture ;  to  which  the  town 
cows,  amounting  to  five- hundred   or  more,  are  daily  led  by  t^ 
town  ihepherd,  andas  regularly  driven  back  in  the  evening.    The 
bed  land  on  the  iiland  is  at  Palpus,  remarkable  for  nothing  but  a 
houfe  of  entertainment.     Qunyes  is  a  fmall  but  valuable  track,  long 
fince  purchafed  by  a  Mr.  Coffin,  who  has  erected  the  beft  houfe 
on  the  idand.     By  long  attention,  proximity  of  the  fea,  &c.  this 
fertile  fpot  has  been  well  manured,  and  is  now  the  garden  of  Nan- 
tucket.   Adjoining  to  it,  on  the  weft  fide,  there  is  a  fmall  ftream, 
on  which  there  is  erected  a  fulling-mill ;  on  the  caft  Gde  is  tlie  lor, 
known  by  the  name  of  Squam,  watered  likewife  by  a  fmall  rivulet, 
on  which  (taods  another  fulling-mill.     Here  is  a  fine  loomy  foil, 
J>roducing  excellent  clover,  which  is  mowed  twice  a  year.   Thcfe 
mills  prepare  all  the  cloth  which  b  made  here :  having  (o  large  a 
ftock  of  (heep  the  inhabitants  abound  in  wool ;  part  of  this  they 
export,  and  the  t^ll  is  fpun  by  their  induftrious  wives,  and  conveitcd 
into  fubftantial  garments.    To  the  foutl>eall  is  a  great  divifion  of 
•He  iiland  fenced  by  itfelf,  known  by  the  name  of  Siafconcet  lot ;  it 
*^  a  very  imcven  track  of  ground  abounding  with  fwamps;  here  the 
^^habitants  turn  in  their  fat  cattle,  or  fuch  as  they  intend  to  (lall- 
^eed  for  their  winter  provifions.    It  is  on  the  fliores  of  this  part  of 
^e  idand,  near  Pochick  Rip,  where  they  catch  their  bed:  fiili,  fuch  as 
^  bafs,  tew-tag,  or  blJick  fifli,  cod,  fmelt,  perch,  fhadine,  pike,  &c. 
^hey  have  crefted  a  few  filhing-houfes  on  this  fhorej'as  well  as 
^t    Sankate'*;    Head  and  SufTakatch^  Beach,  where  the  fifhermen 
^^'ell  in  die  Hlhing  feafon.     Many  red  cedar  bufties  and  beach  grafs 
&Ow  on  the  peninfuia  of  Coitou ;  the  foil  is  light  and  fandy,  and 
^^rvcs  as  a  receptacle  for  rabbits.    It  is  here  that  their  fiieep  find 
^^Iter  in  the  (now  ftorms  of  the  winter.    At  the  north  end  of  Nan- 
^^ckct,  there  is  a  long  point  of  land  projecting  far  into  the  fca* 
^^llcd  Sandy  Point  5  nothing  grows  on  it  but  plain  grafs  ;  and  tlus 
*^   the  place  where  the  inhabitants  often  catch  porpoifes  and  (harks, 
*ti  this  point  they  commonly  drive  their  horfes  in  the  fpring  gf  the 
»r,  in  order  to  feed  on  the  grafs  it  bears,  which  is  ufelefs  when 
at  maturity.    Between  this  point  and  the  main  iflaad  there 

13 


i^6  GEKEkAt   bESCRI>TIOlf 

is  a  valuable  fait  meadowi  called  Croikaty^  with  a  pond  of  the  tin 
bame,  famous  for  black  dUcks.  Sqiiam  aboutlds  in  clover  and  herd 
grafs ;  thofe  who  pofTefs  it  follow  no  (Maritime  occiipatioDi  % 
therefore  negle^  nothing  that  can  render  it  fertile  and  profitat 
The  reft  of  the  undefcribed  part  of  the  ifland  is  open,  and  fcrves 
H  common  pafture  for  their  (heep,  Tb  the  \Veft  of  the  ifland 
Taclcanuck,  where,  in  the  fpring,  their  young  cattle  are  driven  t 
feed ;  it  ha!s  a  few  oak  buQits^  and  two  freQi  water  ponds^  abounJin, 
Irith  teals,  brandts,  and  many  other  fea  fowls,  brought  to  this  iflam 
by  the  proximity  of  their  land  banks  and  fliallows;  where  thou 
fands  are  feen  feeding  at  low  water.  Here  they  have  neither  wolve 
nor  foxes ;  tliofe  inhabitants,  therefore,  Who  live  out  of  town,  raift 
with  all  fecirrity,  as  much  poultry  as  they  want*  In  fummer  th 
climate  is  extremely  pleafant,  the  heats  being  tempered  by  the  f* 
breezes,  with  which  it  is  perpetnally  rcfrefhcd.  Ift  the  winter,  hov 
ever,  the  itihabitants  p^y  fevcrely  for  thofe  advantages ;  it  is  e 
trcmely  cold  ;  the  north-vvefl  wind,  after  having  efcaped  from  t 
mountains  and  forefts,  free  from  all  Impediment  in  its  fhort  pafTa^ 
blows  wiih  redoubled  force^  and  renders  this  ifland  bleak  and  u 
romfortnble.  On  the  other  hand,  the  goodnefs  of  the  houfes,  t 
fecial  hofpitality  of  their  inhabitants,  and  their  good  cheer,  ma 
ample  amends  for  the  feverity  of  the  fcnfon. 

This  ifland,  as  has  been  ali'eady  hinted,  appears  to  be  the  fumi 
t)i  fome  huge  fandy  mountain,  affording  fome  acres  of  dry  Li 
Tor  the  habitation  of  hian ;  other  fubmarihe  ones  lie  to  the  fouthwi 
bf  this,  at  ditferent  depihis  and  diflerent  diflances.  This  danger*: 
region  Is  well  known  to  the  niaiiiicrs  by  the  name  of  Nantucl 
Shoalsf  thefeare  the  bulwaiks  which  fo  powerflilly  defend  this  ifla 
from  rlie  impulfc  of  the  mighty  ocean,  ^nd  repel  this  force  of 
ivavcs,  which,  but  for  thefe  accuinulated  barriers,  would  ere  now  h.: 
diflblved  its  foundations,  and  torn  it  in  pieces.  Thefe  arc  the  ba-i 
ivhich  aS'drded  to  the  firft  inhabitants  of  Nantucket  thHr  daily  H 
fiilcnce  ;  it  was  fibin  thefe  flioals  that  they  drew  the  Origin  of  t: 
Wtalth  v.'hich  they  now  pofllfs ;  and  it  was  the  fchool  where  t1 
fii  il  learned  how  to  venture  farther,  as  the  fifli  of  their  coaft  refcecS 
0  he  fliores  of  thi3  ifland  abound  with  the  foft-flielled,  the  h£3 
llielled,  r.iid  the  great  fea  clams,  a  mod  nutritious  iliell-filh  i  tf 
fancls,  their  Iballows;  are  tovered  with  thein ;  they  multiply  fo 
-that  they  are  a  jiever-failihg  refuurcc.  Thefe,  and  the  great  vari 
ofiiflithey  Cc.tch,  Gt;n{litute  the  principal  food  of  tht  inhabita^ 

2 


OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  I^^ 

It  WM  likewife  that  of  th^  aborigines,  whom  the  firft  fettlers  found 
here;  the  poftei'Uy  of  whom  Hill  live  together  in  decent  houits  along 
the  (horcs  of  Miacomet  pond,  ofi  the  fouth  fide  of  the  ifland  :  they 
ure  an  induftrious,  harmlefs  race,  as  expert  and  as  fond  of  a  fealaring 
life  as  their  fellow  inhabitants,  the  whites. 

This  ifland  is  become  one  of  the  counties  of  this  State,  known  by 
the  name  of  Nantucket.  The  inhabitants  enjoy  here  the  fame  mu- 
nicipal eftabliftiment  in  common  with  the  reft  ;  and^  therefore,  every 
requifite  officer,  fuch  as  fheriff,  juftice  of  the  peace;  fupervifors, 
afleflbrs,  conftablcs,  overfeers  of  the  poor,  &c.  The  taxes  are  pro- 
portioned to  thofe  of  the  metropolis ;  they  are  levied  by  valuations, 
I  agreed  on  and  fixed  according  to  the  laws  of  the  province,  and  by 
aiTeffraents  formed  by  the  afleflbrs;  who  are  yearly  chofen  by  the 
people,  and  whofe  office  obliges  them  to  take  ehher  ad  oath  or  an 
affirraation,  T^o^thirds  of  the  magiftrates  they  have  here,  are  of  the 
fociety  of  Friends. 

The  inhabitants,  efpecially  the  females,  arc  fondly  attached  to 
tHe  ifland,  and  few  wifti  to  migrate  to  a  more  defirable  fituation. 

IThey  are  principally  Qualtefs  ;  but  there  is  one  fociety  of  Con- 
Xregationalifts.  Forty  years  ago  there  were  three  congregations  of 
Indians,  each  of  which  had  a  houfe  for  worfliip  and  a  teacher ;  their 
laft  Indian  pallor  died  ten  years  fince,  and  was^  a  worthy,  refpedtable 
charafter. 

Mand  of  Martha*s  Vineyard,  which  lies  a  little  to*  the  wcftward  of 

^3ntuckct,  is  about  twenty-one  miles  in  length  and  from  fevcn  to 

^'g^t  miles  in  breadth :  it  lies  nine  miles  from  the  continent,  and, 

*^th  the  Elizabeth  Iflands,  forms  one  of  the  counties  of  MaflTachufettj 

"3y>  known  by  the  name  of'Diike*s  County.     Thofe  latter,  which 

^^^  fix  in  number,  are  about  nine  miles  diftant  from  the  Vineyard, 

^^d  are  all  famous  for  excellent  dairies.    A  good  feny  is  eflabliflied 

"^tween  Edgar-Town  and  Falmouth  on  the  main,  the  diftance  be- 

'^g  nine'mhies.     Martha's  Vineyard  is  divided  into  three  townftiips ; 

^'2*  Edgar,  Chilmark,  and  Tifl^ury.     Edgar  is  the  beft  fea-pbrt,  and 

/^^  fliire  town  ;    and  as  its  foil  is  light  and  fandy,   many  of  its 

^habitants  follow  the  example  of  the  people  of  Nantucket.    The 

^'^n  of  Chilmark  has  no  good  harbour,  but  the  land  is  excellent, 

^^  no  way  inferior  to  any  on  the  continent :  it  contains  excellent 

*^^res,  convenient  brooks  for  mills,  flone  for  fencing,  &c.     Tlte 

^n  of  Tilbury  is  remarkable  for  the  excellence  of  its  timber,  and 


^as 


a  harbour  where  the  water  is  deep  enough  for  Ihips  of  the  line. 
Vol.  II.  T  The 


I3S  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

The  fiock  of  die  illaad  is  more  than  twenty  thoufand  iheep,tw(l 
thoufand  neat  cattle,  befides  horfes  and  goats ;  they  haVe  alfo  feme 
deer,  and  abundance  of  fea-fowls.  Thid  has  been  from  the  bepv 
ning,  and  is  to  this  day  the  principal  feminary  of  the  Indians ;  the; 
live  on  tiiat  part  of  the  ifland  which  is  called  Chapoquidick,  ao 
were  very  early  chriftianifed  by  the  refpedable  family  of  the  Mabew! 
the  firft  proprietors  of  it.  The  firft  fcttler  of  that  name  conveyc 
by  will  to  a  favourite  daughter  a  certain  part  of  it,  on  which  thei 
grew  many  wild  vines;  thence  it  was  called  Martha's  Vineyard,  aft 
her  name,  which  in  procefs  of  time  extended  to  the  whole  iflan 
The  pofterity  of  the  ancient  Aborigines,  remain  here  on  lands  whi 
their  forefathers  referved  for  themfelves,  and  which  are  religiou: 
kept  from  any  incroachments.  The  Indians  here  appear  by  t 
decency  of  their  manners,  their  induflry,  and  neatnefs,  to  be  no  vi 
inferior  to  many  of  the  inhabitants  : — like  them,  they  are  lal 
rious  and  religious,  which  are  the  principal  charafteriftics  of  1 
four  New- England  provinces ;  they  often  go,  like  the  young  men 
the  Vineyard,. to  Nantucket,  and  hire  themfelves  for  whalemen 
fiQiermen ;  and,  indeed,  their  ikill  and  dexterity  in  all  fea  affair 
nothing  inferior  to  that  of  the  whites.  The  latter  are  divided  i: 
two  clafles ;  the  firft  occupy  the  land,  which  they  till  with  admira 
care  and  knowledge ;  the  fecond,  who  are  poiTefled  of  none,  ap 
themfelves  to  the  fea,  the  general  refource  of  mankind  in  this  f 
of  the  world.  This  ifland,  therefore,  like  Nantucket,  is  becom 
great  mirfery,  which  fupplies  with  pilots  and  feamen,  the  mimer 
coaflers  with  which  this  extended  part  of  America  abounds, 
where  you  will,  from  Npva  Scotia  to  the  Miffiflippi,  you  will  i 
almoft  every  Vi^here  fome  natives  of  thefe  two  iflands  employee 
feafaring  occupations.  Their  climate  is  fo  favourable  to  populati 
that  marriage  is  the  objedt  of  every  man's  earliell  wifh  ;  and  it  i 
blelfingfo  eafily  obtained,  that  great  numbers  are  obliged  to  c 
their  native  land  and  go  to  fome  other  countries  in  queft  of  i 
fiftence. 

Here  are  to  be  found  the  moft  expert  pilots  either  for  the  gi 
bay,  their  found,  Nantucket  fhoals,  or  the  different  ports  in  tk 
neighbourhood*  In  flormy  weather  they  are  always  at  fea  look 
out  for  vefTcls,  which  they  board  with  fingular  dexterity,  and  bar 
ever  fail  to  bring  fafe  to  their  intended  harbour. 

Gayhead,  the  weftermoft  part  of  the  ifland,  containing  about  t 
tiioiifaad  four  hundred  acres,  is  yery  good  tillage  land,  and  is  whc 

occup 


OF    MASSACHUSETTS,  1^9 

i)ccupied  by  Indians,  but  not  well  cultivated.  One-third  of  this  traft 
is  the  property  of  the  En^lifh  fociety  for  propagating  the  gofpel  in 
New-England.  The  principal  produ6lions  of  the  ifland  arc  corn, 
rye,  and  oats.  They  raife  flieep  and  cattle  in  coniiderable  numbers. 
The  inhabitants  of  this  county  fend  three  reprefentatives,  and, 
in  cpnjundtion  with  Nantucket,  onefenator  to  the  General  Court. 

The  other  iflands  of  confideration  are  in  Maflachufetts  Bay,  which 
is  agreeably  diverfified  bv  about  forty  of  various  fizes :  feven  of  them 
only  are  within  the  jurifdi£lion  of  the  town  of  Boflon,  and  taxed 
^ith  it.  CaiUe  Bland  is  about  three  miles  from  Bofton,  and  contains 
about  eighteen  acres  of  land.  The  buildings  are  the  Governor's 
hoiife,  a  magazine,  gap],  barracl^s,  and  workfhops.  Injuncj  1792^ 
there  were  confined  on  this  ifland  feventy-feven  convi6tSj  who  were 
employed  in  the  manufa6lure  of  nails,  and  guarded  by  a  company  of 
between  fixty  and  feventy  foldiers.  The  fort  on  this  ifland  com- 
mands the  entrance  of  the  harbour:  here  were  mounted  in  1792  fifty 
pieces  of  cannon,  and  forty-four  others  difmounted;  fince  that  perioc^ 
the  fortifications  have  be^n  much  improved^ 

SOIL  AND  PRODUCTIONS. 

In  Maflachufetts  are  to  be  found  all  the  varieties  of  foil,  from  very 
good  to  very  bad,  capable  of  yielding  all  the  different  produ£tions 
common  to  the  climate,  fuch  as  Indian  corn,  rye,  wheat,  barley,  oats, 
bemp,  flax,  hops,  potatoes,  field  beans  and  peas — apples,  pears, 
peaches,  plums,  cherries,  &c.  It  has  been  obferved,  that  the  efFe(5l:s 
of  the  eaft  winds  extend  farther  inland  than  formerly,  and  injure  the 
tender  fruits,  particularly  the  peach,  and  even  the  more  hardy  apple. 
The  average  produce  of  the  good  lands,  well  cultivated,  has  been 
^imated  as  follows :  forty  bufhels  of  corn  on  an  acre — thirty  of 
barley — ^twenty  of  wheat — thirty  of  rye — one  hundred  of  potatoes. 
The  Haple  commodities  of  this  State  are  fifli,  beef,  and  lumber. 

Iron  ore  in  immenfe  quantities  is  found  in  various  parts  of  this 
State,  particularly  in  the  old  colony  of  Plymouth. 

Copper  ore  is  found  at  Leverett,  in  the  county  of  Hampfhire,  and 
-^  Attleborough,  in  the  county  of  Briflol.  Several  mines  of  blaeK 
^^^  have  been  difcovered  in  Brimfield,  in  Hampftiire  county ;  and 
•  'iite  pipe-clay,  and  yellow  and  red  ochre,  at  Martha's  Vineyard, 
^'um  flate,  or  flone,  has  been  found  in  fome  parts  ;  and  alfo  rud- 
^>  or  a  red  earth,  wtiich  has  been  ufed  as  a  ground  colour  for  prim- 
£>  inftead  of  Spanilh-brown.    In  a  quarry  of  lime-flone,  in  the 

T  z  Barito 


140  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

parifli  of  Byeiield,  in  the  county  of  Eflfex,  is  found,  the  AJlttp^  oi 
incombuflible  cotton,  as  it  has  been  called.  Marble  has  been  im 
in  the  fame  vicinity,  and  it  is  conjedlured  that  there  arc  cpnfidcrabl 
beds  of  it.  The  fpecimens  of  it  already  exhibited  have  been  bcant 
fully  variegated  in  colour,  and  admit  an  admirable  poliih,  A  iQ^tb 
quarry  at  Lanelborough  affords  very  good  marble. 

Several  mineral  fprings  have  been  found  in  different  parts  of  tl 
State,  particularly  at  Lynn,  Wrentham,  Menotomy  Parifh  in  Car 
bridge,  &c.  but  pone  are  celebrated  as  places  of  refort  for  invalids. 

CIVIL  DIVISIONS  AND  CHIEF  TOWNS. 

This  State  is  divided  into  eleven  counties;  vi?.  Suffolk,  Eili 
Middlefex,  Hampfhire,  Plymouth,  Briftol,  Barnftable,  Worcefl 
and  Berkfhire,  op  the  cpntinent,  and  Dujce's  and  Nantucket  count 
in  the  iflands  of  Nantucket,  Martha's  Vineyard,  &c.  Thefe  coynt 
contain  two  hundred  and  flxty-five  towns,  the  principal  of  which 
as  follow : 

BOSTON. 

This  is  the  chief  town  of  the  county  of  Suffolk,  and  the  cap 
pot  only  of  MafTachufetts,  but  of  New-England,  and  lies  in  latiti 
42*^  23'  N.  It  is  built  on  a  peninfula  of  an  irregular  form,  at 
bottom  of  MafTachufetts  Bay.  The  neck  or  ifthmus  which  joins 
peninfula  to  the  continent,  is  at  the  fouth  end  of  the  town,  and  le 
to  Roxbury ;  the  length  pf  the  town  itfelf  is  not  quite  two  ^i 
its  breadth  is  various ;  at  the  entrance  from  Roxbury  it  is  narrc 
the  greatefl  breadth  is  one  mile  and  one  hundred  and  thirty-r 
yards;  the  buildings  in  the  town  cover  about  one  thoufand  acres. 

In  this  tpvyn  there  are  feventy-nine  ftreets,  thi?:ty-eight  lanes,  ; 
twenty-ope  alleys,  excluflve  of  fquares  and  courts ;  and  about  eig 
wharfs  and  quays  very  convenient  for  vefTels;  the  principal  wl 
extends  fix  hundred  yards  into  the  fea,  and  is  covered  on  the  nc 
fide  with  large  and  convenient  ftores ;  it  far  exceeds  any  other  wl 
in  the  United  States. 

In  Bollon  are  feyenteen  hoqfes  for  public  worfhip ;  of  which  i 
are  for  Congregationalifls,  three  for  Epifcopalians,  two  for  Bapt 
one  for  the  Friends,  one  for  Uniyerfalifls,  and  one  for  Roman  Cat 
lies :  there  are  alfq  feyeral  public  fchools,  ilate  banks,  &c.  which 
fliall  notice  under  their  refpe£tive  heads.  The  other  public  bu 
ings  are  the  flate  houfe,  court  houfe,  goal,  Faneuil  hall,  an  a 
houfe,   a  workhoufe,  a  bridewell,   and  po>ird«r  magazine,  &c. 

I  T 


.   OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  I4I 

'hat  building  which  was  formerly  the  governor's  houfe,  is  now  ©c- 
upied  in  its  feveral  apartments,  by  the  council,  the  treafurer,  and 
he  fecretary ;  the  two  latter  hold  their  offices  in  it,  Moft  of  the 
public  buildings  are  handfome,  and  fome  of  them  are  elegant.  The 
:own  is  irregularly  built,  but,  as  it  lies  ijfi  a  circular  form  around  the 
harbour,  it  exhibits  a  very  handfome  vjew  as  you  approach  it  from 
the  fea.  On  the  weft  fide  of  the  town  is  the  mall,  a  very  beautiful 
public  walk,  adorned  with  rows  of  trees,  and  in  view  of  the  com- 
mon, which  is  always  open  to  refrefliing  breezes.  Beacon  hill,  oa 
which  a  handfome  monument,  commemorative  of  fome  jof  the 
moll  important  events  of  the  late  war,  has  lately  been  erefted, 
overlooks  the  town  from  the  weft,  and  affords  a  fine  variegated 
profpeft. 

The  harbour  of  Bofton  is  fafe,  and  large  enough  to  contain  five 
hundred  fliips  at  anchor,  in  a  good  depth  of  water ;  while  the  en- 
trance is  fo  narrow  as  fcarcely  to  admit  two  fliips  abreaft.  It  is  di- 
verfifled,  as  we  have  already  obferved,  with  forty  iflands,  which  af- 
ford rich  pafturage,  hay,  and  grain.  About  three  miles  from  the 
town  is  the  caftle,  which  commands  the  entrance  of  the  harbour. 

The  market  in  this  town  is  fupplied  with  abundance  of  beef,  pork, 
mutton,  lamb,  veal,  and  poultry,  and  of  a  quality  equal  to  any  in  the 
^orld,  and  alfo  with  meal,  butter,  cheefe,  roots,  vegetables,  and  fruit* 
of  various  kinds,  in  great  plenty.  The  fifti  market  is  alfo  excellent, 
and  not  only  furnifties  the  tables  of  the  rich  with  fome  of  the  greateft 
<iainties,  but  is  alfo  a  fingular  bleffine  to  the  poor. 

At  an  annual  meeting  in  March,  feven  feledt  men  are  chofen  for 
^He  more  immediate  government  of  the  town ;  at  the  fame  time  are 
€le6led  a  town  clerk,  a  town  treafurer,  twelve  overfeers  of  the  poor, 
twelve  firewards,  twelve  clerks  of  the  market,  twelve  fcavengers, 
and  twelve  conftables,  befides  a  number  of  other  officers.  Attempts 
^ve  been  made  to  change  the  govermnent  of  the  town  from  its  pre- 
'^flt  form  to  that  of  a  city,  but  the  propofed  form  not  being  confo- 
'^^t  to  the  democratic  fpirit  of  the  body  of  the  people,  it  has  been 
•ejeaed.  " 

Lofton  was  fettled  as  early  as  the  year  1630,  from  Charlefton. 

•  he  peninfula  was  called,  by  the  natives,  Shawmut ;  but  the  inha- 
'•^ants  of  Charlefton,  from  the  view  they  had  of  three  hills,  called  it 
'  'fountain.  The  new  inhabitants,  however,  named  it  Bofton, 
^^  of  refpe6l  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cotton,  formerly  a  minifter  of  Bofton, 

*  England,  who  was  expected  to  come  over  to  New-England.  He  was 
^^rwards  minifter  of  the  firji  churchy 

It 


1^2  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

It  has  been  computed,  that  during  the  fiege  in  i775»  as  tpam 
houfes  were  dcftroyed  in  Boflon  by  the  Britifh  troops,  as  were  burc 
in  Charleiion.  Since  the  peace  a  fpirit  of  repairs  and  improveme^ 
has  difTufed  itfelf  among  the  inhabitants.  The  (Ireets  of  late  ha^ 
been  lighted  with  lamps,  at  the  expcnfe  of  the  town ;  and  fome  fn^ 
beginnings  have  been  made  towards  improving  the  flreets  by  T%.^ 
paving  them,  which  it  is  hoped  will  ftimulate  to  like  improvemer 
through  the  town.  The  principal  manufadtures  here,  are,  run 
beer,  paper  hangings,  of  which  twenty-four  thoufand  pieces  are  an 
utrally  made,  loaf  fugar,  cordage,  cards,  fail  cloth,  fpermaceti  zac 
tallow  candles,  glafs ;— -there  are  thirty  diftillcries,  two  breweries, 
eight  fugar  houfes,  and  eleven  rope  walks.  A  few  years  may  rendei 
the  metropolis  of  Maflachufetts  as  famed  for  arts,  xnai^ufi^£ti\re8  a^< 
cooipierce,  as  any  city  in  the  Upit^d  Sts^te^, 

SALENT. 

This  is  the  fecond  town  for  lize  in  the  Commonwealth,  and  tli 
capital  of  the  county  of  Effex,  containing  nine  hundred  and  twenty 
eight  houfes,  and  except  Plymouth,  the  oldeft;  it  was  fettled  i 
1628,  by  Governor  Endicot,  and  was  called  by  the  Indians,  Naun: 
^eag.    Here  are  a  noeeting  of  Quakers,  an  epifcopal  church  and  fiv; 
congregational    focieties.      The  town  is  fituated   on  a  peninfuh 
formed  by  two  fmafl  inlets  of  the  fea,    called  North  and  South  r 
Tcrs.     The  foi-mer  of  thefe  pafTes  into  Beverly  Harbour,  and  has 
draw-bridge  acrofs  it,  built  many  years  ago  at  private  expenfe. — ^ 
this  place  fome  part  of  the  (liippingof  the  town  is  fitted  out ;  but  t^ 
principal  harbour  and  place  for  bufinefs  is  on  the  other  fide  oft- 
town,  at  South  river,  if  that  may  be  properly  called  a  river,  whi-i 
depends  on  the  flowing  of  the  fea  for  the  water  it  contains, 
thoal  is  this  harbour,  that  vefTels  which  draw  more  than  ten  or  twel 
feet  of  water,  muft  be  laden  and  unladen  at  a  diftance  from  the  wha-i 
by  the  aliifiance  of  lighters.    Notwithftanding  this  inconvenient 
more  navigation  is  owned,  and  more  tiade  carried  on  in  Salem  tb* 
in  any  port  in  the  Common^j'caltb,  Bofton  excepted.     The  fiflier 
the  trade  to  the  Weft-Tndies,  to  Europe,  to  the  coafl  of  Africa, 
the  Eall-Indies,  and  the  freighting  bufinefs  from  the  fouthern  Stat  ' 
are  here  all  purfued  with  energy  and  fpirit.     The   enterpria^ 
tbe  merchants  of  this  place  is  equalled  by  nothing  but  their  indefa* 
^able  induHry  and  fevcre  economy.     This  latter  virtue  forms  a  (B 
tiiiguilhing  feature  in  the  characfter  of  the  people  of  this  town.  So* 

perfcr 


OP   MASSACHUSETTS.  I43 

Jpftrfons  of  rank,  in  former  times,  having  carried  it  to  an  unbe- 
coming length,  gave  a  charafter  to  the  people  in  general  of  a  <ii£^ 
graceful  parfimony.  But,  whether  this  reproach  was  ever  juftly 
applied  in  fo  extenfive  a  meafure  or  not,  nothing  can  be  more  inju- 
rious than  to  continue  it  at  the  prefent  time  ;  for  it  may  juftly  be 
laid  of  the  inhabitants  of  Salem  at  this  day,  that,  with  a  laudable  at- 
tention to  the  acquifition  of  property,  they  exhibit  a  public  fpirit 
and  hofpitality,  alike  h9nourable  to  themfelves  and  their  country.  A 
general  plainnefs  and  neatnefs  in  drefs,  buildings  and  equipage,  and 
a  certain  ftillnefs  and  gravity  of  manner,  perhaps  in  fome  degree 
peculiar  to  commercial  people,  diftinguifli  them  from  the  citizens 
of  the  metropolis.  It  is  indeed  to  be  wiflied  that  the  fober  induftry 
here  fo  univerfally  pradifed,  may  become  more  extenfive  through 
^e  Union,  and  form  the  national  character  of  the  federal  Ame- 
ricans. 

Acourthoufe,  built  in  1786,  ^t  the  joint  expenfe  of  the  county 
and  town,  forms  a  principal  ornament,  and  is  executed  in  a  ftyle  of 
archite^ure  that  would  add  to  the  elegance  of  any  city  in  the  Union. 
The  Supreme  Judicial  Court  holds  a  term  here  the  fecond  Tuelday 
^f  November,  the  Courts  of  Common  Pleas  and  Seffions,  the  fe- 
cond Tuefday  of  March  and  September, 

A  manufaiftory  of  duck  and  fail  cloth  has  been  lately  inftitutcd 
oere,  and  is  profccuted  with  much  fpirit, 

MARBLEHEAD. 

South-eaft  from  Salem,  and  four  miles  diftance  from  it,  in  the 

*^nie  county,  lies  Marblehead,  containing  one  epifcopal,    and  two 

^^ngregational  churches,  befides  a  fmall  fociety  of  feparatifts.    The 

chief  attention  of  this  town  is  devoted  to  the  bank  fifliery,  and  more 

*s  done  in  that  line  than  in  any  port  in  the  government.    The  late 

^"ar  putting  a  total  ftop  to  this  bufinefs,  and  vaft  numbers  of  the 

'^en  before  employed  in  it  being  loft  by  land  and  water,  the  peace 

*^iind  thofe  who  furvived  in  circumftances  of  great  diftrefs.     Great 

^^ertions  were  made  to  revive  the  former  courfe  of  bufinefs,  and  it  is 

'^rncnted  by  every  friend  to  iuduftry  and  the  profperity  of  the 

^*^yntry,  that  thefe  exertions  have  not  been  crowned  with  more  fuc- 

^eis  ;  every  thing  here  has  more  and  more  the  fymptoms  of  decay, 

he  great  number  of  widows  and  orphans  caufed  by  the  war,  and 

^'i   at  the  clofe  of  it  to  the  charge  of  the  town,  are  a  melancholy 

^^'then  which  nothing  lefs  than  governmental  aid  can  relieve.    A 

lottery 


144  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

lottery  has  been  granted  by  the  legiflature  for  the  double  purpofc  of 
Icflemng  the  weight  of  this  burthen,  and  repairing  the  fea  wall,  which 
protc^s  the  harbour,  and  which  was  in  imminent  danger  of  giving 
way,  to  the  great  detriment,  if  not  utter  ruin  of  the  port. 

A  peculiarity  obfervable  in  this,  as  well  as  other  fifliing  townJ, 
may  be  worthy  mentioning.  The  fpring,  fummer,  and  autumn, 
being  entirely  occupied  in  the  laborious  purfuit  of  their  employment, 
leaves  no  time  for  amufement.  Jn  winter,  every  thing  is  different* 
There  arc  few  calls  to  labour,  and  all  are  devoted  to  mirth  and  jol- 
lity. A  continual  round  of  gaiety  and  diffipation  occupies  the  fiflier- 
man's  time,  until  returning  fpring  calls  him  to  returning  labour, 
which  he  then  purfues  as  eagerly  as  he  did  juft  before  his  amufe- 
ments. 

KEWBURY   PORT. 

Newbury  Port,  in  Eflex,  originally  part  of*Newbury,  from  whici 
its  incorporation  detached  it  in  1764,  and  by  which,  and  Mern 
mack  river,  it  is  wholly  encircled,  is  perhaps  the  moft  limited  in  il 
extent  of  land,  of  any  townfliip  in  the  Commonwealth,  containin 
but  about  fix  hundred  and  forty  acres.  Here  are  four  houfes  for  pul 
lie  worfhip,  viz.  one  Epifcopalian,  one  Prefbyterian,  and  two  Coi 
gregational.  It  was  formerly  remarkable  for  the  number  of  vefl€ 
annually  built  here ;  but  lince  the  commencement  of  the  late  wi3 
this  bufinefs  has  in  a  great  degree  failed,  and  no  manufedlure  of  co 
fequence  has  yet  fupplied  its  place.  The  continental  frigates,  t- 
Boston  and  Hancock,  were  built  here,  befides  many  laigepriv^ 
armed  ihips,  during  the  war.  The  trade  to  the  Weft-Indies  is  carri 
on  here  with  much  fpirit  and  to  great  amount.  Large  quantities  of  ru: 
are  diflilled,  which  is  principally  exported  to  the  fouthern  StaC 
Some  veflelsare  employed  in  the  freighting  bufinefs,  and  a  few  in  •: 
fifhery.  In  November,  1790,  there  were  owned  in  this  port  - 
ihips,  forty-five  brigantines,  thirty-nine  fchooners,  and  twenty-eig 
Hoops,  in  the  whole  eleven  thoufand  eight  hundred  and  feventy  to:^ 
A  term  of  the  courts  of  Common  Pleas  and  General  Selfions  is  h^ 
liere  on  the  laft  Tuefday  in  September. 

IPSWICH. 

Ipfwich,  by  the  Indians  called  Agawam,  in  the  county  of  EffS 
is  thirty-two  miles  N.  N.  E.  from  BoUon,  is  divided  into  five  £ 
ilihes.  Ati '  excetlerit  flone  bridge,  acrofs  Ipfwich  river,  compo^ 
ipf  two  arches,  with  one  folid  pier  in  the  ^)ed  of  the  river,  conne- 


OF    MASSACHUSETTS,  145; 

ik  two  parts  of  the  town,  and  was  executed  under .  the  dire&ioo  of 
the  late  Honourable  Judge  Choate,  in  a  ftyle  of  itrength  and  neat- 
Befi  hitherto  unequalled  in  this  country*  This  was  heretofore  ft 
place  of  much  more  confideration  than  at  prefent.  Its  decline  is  at- 
tributed to  a  barred  harbour  and  fhoal  rivers.  Its  natural  iituatioa 
is  very  pleafunt,  and  on  all  accounts  excellently  well  calculated  to  be 
a  large  manufacturing  town.  The  fupreme  judicial  courts  the 
courts  of  Common  Pleas  and  Seilions,  are  held  here  once  in  a  year ; 
aod  from  its  central  (ituatlon,  appears  to  be  the  moft  convenient 
place,  for  all  the  courts  and  public  offices  of  the  county. 

CHARLESTON. 

Charlefton,  called  by  the  aboriginal  inhabitants,  Mifhawum,  lies 
north  of  Bofton,  with  which  it  is  connedted  by  Charles  river  bridge, 
and  is  the  principal  town  in  Middlefex  county.  The  town,  pro- 
perly fo  called,  is  built  on  a  peninfula,  formed  by  Myftic  river,  on 
the  eaft,  and  a  bay,  fetting  up  from  Charles  river  on  the  weft.     It  is 

• 

very  advantageouily  (ituated  for  health,*  navigation,  ti'ade,  and  ma- 
nufaftures  of  almoft  all  the  various  kinds.  A  dam  acrofs  the  mouth 
of  the  bay,  which  fets  up  from  Charles  river,  weft  of  the  town, 
,  would  afford  a  great  number  of  mill  fears  for  manufacturers.  Bunker, 
Breed's,  and  Cobble,  now  Barrel's,  hills,  are  celebrated  in  the  hif- 
^ry  of  the  American  Revolution ;  and  no  Icfs  fo  for  the  elegant  and 
delightful  profpeCts  which  they  afford  of  Bofton,  and  its  charmingly 
variegated  harbour— of  Cambridge  and  its  colleges,  and  of  an  ex- 
tenfive  tra6t  of  highly  cultivated  country. 

The  deftrudlion  of  this  town  by  the  Britifli,  in  177$,  we  have 
nieationed  in  the  hiftorical  Iketch  we  have  given  of  the  war.  Before 
*^s  deftru6lion,  feveral  branches  of  manufactures  were  carried  on  to 
great  advantage,  fome  of  which  have  been  fince  revived;  particu- 
larly the  manufacture  of  pot  and  pearl  aOi,  rum,  fliips,  leather  in  all 
its  branches,  filver,  tin,  brafs  and  pewter. 

CAMBRinCE   AND   CONCORD. 

-^^efc  arc  the  moft  conliderable  inland  towns  in  the  county  gif 

ddlefex,  the  former  is  four  miles  from  Bofton,  and  is  a  pleafant 

^'^>  and  the  feat  of  the  univerfity.    TJie  latter  is  nifictcen  miles 

ti  ^        thrtc  years,  ending  1791,  eighty  perfons  died,  nineteen  of  whom  were  upwards 
..  ^^  years  old  j  ten  wtre  upwards  of  fsventy  ;  four  upwards  «f  eigtity,  and  one 

^OL.ir.  u  N.w, 


t4S  o^ftniAL  b^scRiPTloir 

St.  W.  <tf  BoftoRi  and  is  alfo  a  pkfafan^  healthy,  thrividjf  trnn 
The  PrtMrinctal  Congrefs  fat  in  Concord  in  1774,  and  the  genera 
c*Uit  kz^e  fr<qu6tirly  held  tbeii*  feflions  here  when  contagious  difeaP 
hive  prevailed  in  the  capital.  This  town  is  /cm!erecl  famous  in  h", 
tory  by  ita  being  the  place  where  the  fipfl  oppr»f!tion  was  made  fo  ta 
Britilli  trbo|^»y  On  the  mennorable  t9th  of  Apii',  1775.  The  put 
bwtdidga  are,  a-  eongregational  churdi,  a  fpacious  ftonc  gaol, 
beft  io  New*EDgland,  and  a  county  court  houfe.  The  town  ife. 
^ommodated  v^ith  three  hrindfome  bridges,  one  of  which  is  two  hi  i 
dred  and  eight  feet  lon^,  and  eighteen  feet  wi'Je,  fnpported  by  tw^e/ 
piers,  built  after  the  manner  of  Charles  river  bridge;  in  1791,  ther 
were  one  thoufand  five  hundred  and  ninety  inhabitants  in  this  tovvn 
eighty  of  whom  were  upwards  of  fevcnty  years  old.  For  thirteei 
years  paft,  the  average  nnmber  of  deaths  has  been  feventcen,  one  1^ 
four  of  whom  were  feventy  years  old  and  upwards. 

PLYMOtXTH. 

• 

Plymouth,  the  principal  town  in  the  county  of  the  fame  nariif,  ar 
the  capital  of  the  old  colony,  fo  called,  is  forty-two  miles  S.  E. 
Bofton,  and  contains  about  three  hundred  houfes.  Before  the  war,  tl 
inhabitants  of  this  town  employed  ninety  fail  of  veflels,  chiefly  in  cl 
fiHiing  bufiriefs.  But  in  the  courfe  of  the  war,  they  were  moft 
baleen  or  deflroyed  by  the  enemy,  and  their  feamen  captured,  a.i 
many  of  the  inhr-.bitarits  reduced  to  indigence.  They  have  fin< 
in  a  great  meafurc,  emerged  from  their  diftrefTed  ftate.  The  h  ^ 
bour  is  fpaciou?,  but  the  water  is  not  deep.  The  town  is  fames 
for  being  the  firft  place  fettled  by  the  pious  anceftors  of  the  N^ 
EnglanderS,  in  1620. 

'      WORCESTER. 

Worcefter,  the  (liire  town  of  the  eounty  of  the  fame  name,  is  ^ 
iargeft  inland  town  in  ^Jew-England,  and  is  (ituated  about  foi^ 
feven  miles  weftward  of  Bofton.  The  public  buildings  in  this  to%J 
are  two  congregational  churches,  a  coiu-t  houfe,  and  a  ftrong  flc: 
gaol.  The  inhabitants  carry  on  a  large  inland  trade,  and  maJi 
laftare  pot  and  pearl  aih,  cotton  and  linen  goods,  bcfides  fo 
other  articles. 

Trintrrig,  in  its  various  branches,  is  carried  on  vei*y  extcnfivel>^ 
this  town,  by  Ifaiah  Thonias,  who,  in  the  year  1791,  carr' 
through  his  preiTes  two  editions  of  the  Bible,  ttie  one  the  large  ro^ 
^aito,  the  ^rik  of  that  kind  pubiidied  in  America,  the  other  a  ia^ 

3  "  ^^'* 


OF    MA«SA€HiJSBTT$.  1:^ 

folio,  with  fifty  copper  plates,  bcfides  feveral  other  books  of  confe- 
quence.  His  printiog  .apparatus  coaQfts- of -ten' printing  prcfles, 
with  types  in  proportion ;  and  he  is  now  making  preparations  for  the 
printing  of  bibles  of  various  fmallir  kinds^  which  will  caufe  him  to 
mafcc  a  great  addition  to  hi»  wwk«,'  of  both  prefles  and  -types*  This 
printmg  apparatus  is  now  the  largeft  in^  America. 

Qa  Connedticut  river  in  the  county  of  -Hampfhire,  there  are  a 
nunjber  of  very  plcafant  towns,  among  which  arc  Springfield  and 
Hadley,  on  the  caft  fide  of  the  xiver ;  Northampton,  Hatfield  and 
Deerfield  on  the  wefi.  Courts  arc  held  in  all  thefe  places  in  the^r 
tucQ,  xxcept  Hatfield.  Springfield  is  the  old^ift  of  thefe  towns, 
haying  been  fettled  as  e^rly  as  1 636.  Its  public.buiiding^  are  a  c9n« 
gregational  church,  court  houfe,  and  gaol.  •A*  large  pix^rtion  ^f 
the  military  fiores  of  the  Commonw^aUh  are  lodged  here*  A  cleafr 
meandring  brook  runs  through  the  town  from  jiorth  to  foath,  and 
adds  much  to  its  beaaty  and  pleafartthefs. 

Stockhridge,  Gre^t  Barririgton,  and  Lenox,  are  the  principal 
towns  in  ^Bcrkihire  county, :  and  lie  from  foi:tyrfiYC  .to  fifty-miles 
W.N.  W.  froni  Springfield.  Befidcs  thefe,.  there afc  many  other  towns 
b  MafTa^hufetts  that  are  in  a  rapid  ftate^of  impro^erhent,  to  enumc- 
1  Wc  the  particulaxjs  of  which  woiild  extend  tliis  wprk  fgirbeyoad  the 
bonnds  propofcd.  A  pretty  feorrcft  idea  of  their  magnitude  and  im* 
portance- will,  however,  be  forined  by  .tl»cf  f6ll6wing  account  of 
^irpG|pulation,  trade|-&c«  '.    .    .    . 


POPULATION.  .       -   . 

The  .numherof  inhabitants,  &c.  inihis  Sta^c,  accgraing  to  the 
•cnfus  taken  ID  1790,  Wis >s  follows  I 


•      • 


U»  POPULA. 


T4« 


GENERAL    DESCRItTION 


POPULATION. 
SUFFOLK     COUNTY. 


Roxbury,  . 

Brnokline, 
Dorchefter, 


Hingham, 
Cohaflet,    , 
Hull,      .    , 
CFielfea',      , 
Iflandi  ID  the  liar- 
Diir  of  Boflon, 
Bdlingham,  ': 
Braintrrt,  •■  '-. 
Dedtiam,    .   . 

Foxbo  rough, 

Medwayl    \  '. 

Mcdfield,   .  . 
Ncedhaai, 

Sharon,      ,  , 

StoughCon,  . 

Walpole,    .  . 

Weymouth,  . 


a87    351 


43*53376 


256'  ^ 
4.84  477 


346  36a 


SS76 


'"7'93:<4   a.V'4''°5^   443?^ 


ESSEX    COUNTY. 


>vburj"  port, 
Newbury, 
Glouccfter,    . 
Ipfwtch,     ■    • 
Andovcr,   .    . 

Bradford,  .  . 


6,6 

..n 

^071 

154" 

70 

!1S 

io^<; 

«44 

3047 

4» 

671 

■  .b, 

iiib 

*793 

41 

s», 

'",' 

916 

3416 

71 

40a 

SI 

741 

1414 

M 

«rt 

451 

,1.6 

t 

.56 

'a 

37» 

263 

7»S 

i 

OF    MASSACHUSETTS. 


'49 


ESSEX  COUNTY,  CONTINUED. 


■1 

ll 

1 

1 

i 

i 

'e 

H 

li 

1 

t 

I 

iVKS, 

t 
X 

J3 

11 

J 

1 

1 

1 

1 

% 

e 

s 

5 

S  ^ 

t  - 

^ 

s 

1 

?; 

£ 

< 

H 

■d,  .  .  . 

laB 

163 

»47 

iqt 

48. 

~~6 

9>S 

]M,      .    . 

107 

IJO 

ai3 

156 

398 

780 

qa8 

'493 

«84S 

1710 

4106,  a6o'     7911 

Jiheiid,      . 

bii 

1104, 

.z6s 

i3»7 

a,S? 

871     Si>("\ 

rly.     .   .    . 

4.1a 

637 

748 

lil 

"TSL 

58;     3290! 

I'crs,    .   .    . 

,17* 

46a 

1)26 

1279 

34 

2445 

n 

300 

404 

6«5 

S't 

113. 

2291 

ichefter,    ,    . 

i+a 

196 

:!J4 

304 

S,8 

9 

965 

JiUcton,     .    . 

ilq 

164 

140 

36. 

16 

681 

.■nham.  .    .    ; 

7+ 

1: 

114 

loq 

269 

5M 

nnfield.      .    . 

66 

"S 

loB 

.  16 

; 

491 

litbnry,   .    .    . 

.6; 

3«S 

4S 

38. 

»J 

1780 

Imibiiry,       .    . 

3°3 

3S' 

47= 

384 

944 

3 

iSoi 

liverhill,      .    . 

330 

43  S 

6. 

■        ?39 

.151 

7 

a+ofi 

Icihuen,   .    .    . 

181 

7644 

S17 

33 

292 

6t. 

4 

1297 

,088., 

i4j6 

12562 

,  3<j«o8'l88i.(  S79,3| 

IV 

ID 

DLES 

EX 

COUP 

wTT. 

^^ambridge,    .    . 

■ 

3SS 

si<^ 

■454] 

.066 

"6^ 

aiij 

-incoln,      .    ,   . 

125 

.60 

,84 

370 

74* 

-OLicord,    . 

"93 

4>S 

3'4 

832 

39 

IS9' 

Jtilford,     . 

89 

ISO 

i"7 

"54 

5* 

'illerica,    . 

ai7 

335 

as6 

595 

Medford,    . 

187 

a6o 

aij 

8si 

34 

Wobum 

326 

452 

397 

'7' 

-hdmaford, 

ao^ 

3V 

3M 

57* 

" 

11 

J5«;ing,     . 

341 

480 

90; 

3> 

iF 

rewklbury. 

163 

*39 

219 

483 

-harlefton, 

288 

395 

35- 

809 

21 

I 

VjJiham,  . 

141 

"34 

288 

430 

Vatertown, 

164 

3'9 

a  JO 

S'l 

11 

J 

^arlifle,      . 

96 

149 

99 

305 

Vellford,   . 

aao 

301 

3c6 

6.8 

A'ilmington, 

'34 

■  8t 

171 

345 

12 

jroton,      . 

321 

477 

4*9 

929 

Vl»Uen,      . 

193 

^39 

ai4 

i6o 

SC 

^toocfaam, 

.  7a 

loa 

83 

181 

I^D  GENXRAL    DESCRIPTION 

MIDDLESEX  COUNTY,  CONTINUED. 


si       , 

■?■ 

. 

£ 

i 

il 

d 

J 

TOWNS. 

"5 

■| 

kI 

1  . 

J: 

1. 
1 

M 

1 

1  S 

1- 

-S 

1 

1 

i 

1 

S" 

!^ 

= 

K 

X 

£ 

b 

< 

Pepjjcrell,      . 

l6 

20c 

286 

145 

.581 

30 

TownCend,     . 

'4 

i8j 

273 

244 

.472 

4 

Shirley,      .   .    . 

9t 

166 

'55 

354 

2 

DuuftaWe,      .   . 

S*- 

67 

79 

'93 

Afiiby,  .   .   . 

132 

•87 

194 

3^9 

1 

Bux  borough, 

5 

67 

86 

217 

9 

lUarlboEough,    . 

31 

Bfih 

425 

340 

7S, 

8 

Lexington,     .   . 

'3 

.76 

351 

ei3 

4.70 

e 

Eaft-Sudbun-,    . 

"44 

306 

176 

410 

9 

Sudbnry,    .   .    . 

>7 

340 

3»6 

a87 

fc7j 

3 

AftoB,   .   .   .    . 

I»C 

140 

a  16 

B04 

4^7 

6 

NMidE,        .    .    . 

75 

"3 

143 

'34 

300 

39 

X.ttt!etoa,    .   .    . 

*S^ 

»»3 

'77 

438 

16 

f  rajningham,     . 

2Z 

29* 

394 

35° 

828 

36 

Slierburn,  .   .    . 

92 

IJO 

igz 

:¥)2 

6 

Hs^inceB,    ,    . 

.6g 

«IO 

3" 

3*9 

665 

12 

iHollifton,  .    .    . 

9S 

no 

»37 

'99 

424 

'5 

Newton,    j_ .    . 

17S 

"37 

336 

301 

69S 

«5 

Stow,      .  1  ,    . 

'3° 

'45 

ao6 

'9S 

397 

3 

Wefton,      .  *.    . 

131 

'73 

356 

337 

504 

*3 

Tjiigftioroiigh  ■ 

on  wefl  fide 

3' 

35 

S' 

46 

87 

17 

Merrimack 

Tynglbomugh  ] 

on  north  fide  [ 

26 

3= 

43 

5° 

s? 

Merrimack   J 

Dracut,      .    .    . 

!60 

1B6 

310 

284 

584 

39 

5?2! 

7580 

H040 

^606 

JJA2i 

JSli 

4' 

H 

fl.M 

'SHII 

IE      C 

GUN 

TY. 

Ndnhampton,    . 

24,1 

259 

498 

34' 

77' 

.8 

J 

Eafthampcon,     . 

75 

77 

117 

J08 

1 

Southampton,    . 

130 

'35 

2l6 

178 

418 

Wcflhampton,    . 

16^ 

18; 

333 

Weil-Spi-lngfield, 
Hatfieia.     .    .    . 

37^ 

38^ 

630 

5^5 

1160 

52 

i 

lOJ 

'99 

'47 

34^ 

14 

GreeofiJld,    ,    . 

ai4 

»40 

39' 

3<J0 

7'4 

3 

' 

Off    MASSACHUSETTS.  I^t 

HAMPSHIRE  COUNTY,  CONTINUED. 


^ 

^ 

i 

1 

t1 

1 

J 

J 

i 

a 

-3 

s. 

1 

OtVSS. 

-, 

^ 

Si 

ij 
■^  g 

1 

i 

-5 

1 

1 

F 

S- 

E 

1 

i 

^ '''' 

z 

£ 

< 

:U,  .   .    . 

3.6 

3*8 

S"7 

565 

1054 

"la 

2104 

If.    .    ■    ■ 

ita 

130 

.84 

199 

3S» 

736 

nfliurgh, 

JS9 

173 

>;8 

2S1 

S*o 

io,9 

lit,  .    .    . 

3'9 

33-1 

496 

;di 

969 

'3 

"9?9 

in,    .    .    . 

229 

24.; 

3ja 

37' 

6B7 

1417 

iiigtoii,     . 

iBi 

1S8 

rf. 

277 

■547 

5 

1116 

103 

161 

r8s 

3^7 

8 

6S, 

rne,      .    . 

.6g 

.8+ 

300 

373 

lit 

11 

..83 

y,     .    .    . 

306 

311 

500 

SS8 

•3 

»°9> 

3rd.      .    . 

235 

=39 

3-1^ 

■     ■''^9 

7^y 

9 

,4,6 

dftoii,       . 

lOI 

108 

i/d 

34-3 

6,, 

'S° 

i!S 

30S 

298 

48. 

989 

nionc,       . 

106 

166 

173 

3.6 

66; 

'77 

.87 

a8; 

300 

5*7 

inq 

rfield,       . 

iBo 

190 
261 

'83 

317 

58' 

s 

,iSj 

Id,     ... 

»43 

Sit 

3^9 

73! 

1 

'459 

dck,    ■  . 

1*3 

14B 

«,( 

217 

3<J7 

IZ 

S+i 

ch,    .    .    . 

126 

lag 

■«7 

199 

35* 

4 

7*» 

pinery,     . 

7= 

74 

110 

116 

a 

449 

IgtOll,    .     . 

■910 

148 

»37 

419 

5 

«73 

eld,  .    .    , 

81 

8S 

109 

120 

224 

5 

4iS 

^eid,  :  . 

47 

101 

:y 

'73 

280 

608 

mJ,  .    .    . 

"9 

124 

191 

363 

7,8 

7( 

19 

"9 

.■ 

443 

58 

S3 

86 

lo;; 

188 

379 

tion,  Na,; 

88 

90 

'34 

10 

24^ 

539 

M,  .   ,    . 

iSt 

;26 

SS'f 

30& 

646 

»4 

1330 

;fielci,    . 

238 

4'S 

3';9 

-37 

13 

£574 

Meadoii', 

uq 

136 

182 

35t' 

6 

It 

V>      •    ■ 

13* 

141 

240 

187 

436 

iq 

■Hadley, 

"3 

I. a 

ao9 

181 

359 

10*      759t 

riand,   . 

73 

74 

:S 

101 

^37 

4&2 

ffi:  : 

15c 

'54 

217 

45 

IJC 

214 

ai4 

41 

5 

8681 

abam,  . 

za3 

i 

382 

393 

75 

*S 

'5551 

rfl.    .   . 

ijt 

33 

287 

605 

»:    ''ST 

^y.   ■  • . 

9- 

164 

*54 

27t 

a,      59^ 

;eld,  .   . 

'7 

ir 

3'6 

309 

58 

-Brimfield 

g 

9 

144 

*  17' 

29 

1      606 

id,     .    . 

6 

6 

9/ 

20 

1' 

428 

1$Z  GEMEKAL    DESCRIPTIOH 

HAMPSHIRE  COUNTY,  CONTINUED^ 


-S 

1 

J 

11 

5 

l|f 

TOWNS. 

ji 

14 

■= 

"o 

a  3 

**  3 

a        t 

1 

1 

11 

^1 

1  \* 

£       = 

z 

^ 

ci; 

iC 

£     1   < 

Liwllow,      .    .    . 

86 

94 

'34 

'5S 

266       3 

Monloii,     .    .    . 

1 83 

194 

336 

3 '4 

6;s      18 

Palpier,      .    .    . 

117 

.25 

215 

18b 

196      11 

Betcheitown,     . 

.38 

.40 

370 

39*' 

7'3       6 

Greenwich,    .    . 

'71 

'74 

171 

265 

S°4       5 

Pdham,      .    .    . 

'S.l 

'S9 

246 

277 

^61       . 

Uveretc,    .    .    . 

S6 

87 

ia6 

i2y 

Shwcfbtify,    .    . 

"7 

-7 

i6d 

196 

31s'      3 

WeoJel,     .    .    . 

79 

ao 

130 

'-17 

2^1! 

Ware.     .    .    .    . 

lib 

116 

.89 

378            ■ 

Warwick,  .    .    . 

176 

'79 

179 

108 

65,           1 

New  Siilcm,  .   . 

»i4 

261 

390 

387 

7'5 

1 

Orange,      .    .   . 

117 

'" 

186 

39S 

^ 

9917 

15119 

I!01» 

29099 

45' 

5 

P 

LYP 

lOU' 

PH     C 

OUN 

TY. 

Plymouth,       .    . 

S77 

74-9 

646 

2(,6 

54 

Middltborough, 

80a 

1166 

'°S° 

2286 

24 

Peinbroke,      .    . 

34' 

4H0 

«3 

99« 

43 

Carver,      .   ,    . 

i;o 

214 

214 

407 

Plympwn,      .    . 

163 

233 

499 

4 

Halifa:i,     .    .    . 

1114 

.78 

'55 

3^9 

Duxberoiigh,     . 

SS8 

378 

32J 

744 

10 

Wareham,      .    . 

11; 

208 

434 

10 

Hanover,    .    .    . 

184 

abi 

=35 

546 

35 

AbingtOL!,  .   .    . 

25s 

359 

339 

740 

15 

BridgEwater,       . 

830 

i'S3 

2470 

129 

Scitiiate,    .  .   . 

S*' 

692 

554 

'54! 

65 

Marflifield,     .    . 

aaj 

386 

'4S 

28 

Rochcfler,      .    . 

44* 

68r 

605 

1304 

54 

Kingfton,  .    .    . 

♦£4* 

166 

a6i 

ysoo 

&534 

5°5 

-18 

.499S 

1. 

OF   MASSACHUSETTS. 


153 


IRISTOL    COUNTY. 


TOWNS. 

1 

i 

1l 

§ 
■a 

1 

J 

1 

P 

i 

M 

'ii 

1 

1 

0 

1 

1 

a 

i^ 

1" 

i 

i 

H 

Taunton,    .    .   . 

538 

66i 

9»4 

86a 

igaS 

90 

3804 

Norton,      ,    .    . 

19s 

24s 

a;' 

309 

730 

"^^ 

Eafton 

so; 

361 

366 

379 

704 

'7 

1466 

Mansfield,      .    . 

H7 

17s 

*7' 

198 

509 

5 

983 

AirleboroQgh,    . 

3'4 

384 

566 

4i' 

113' 

18 

2166 

Sivanfea,    .    .    . 

*46 

3' 9 

430 

3'9 

9'1 

7a 

1784 

Saoicriec,  .    .    . 

141 

r89 

a/O 

^34 

^85 

6z 

MJl 

Dighton,    .    .    . 

t 

a85 

4.16 

409 

879 

89 

'793 

Ravnham,      .    . 

'97 

300 

543 

»9 

1094 

Berkley,      .    .    . 

119 

362 

aJ3 

"I 

4+7 

8jo 

Freetown,      :   . 

jgB 

565 

46J 
S36 

1117 

5; 

Weliport,  .    .    . 

3^5 

4S« 

615 

1259 

S6 

2466 

Dartmouth,    .    . 

39^ 

448 

'ts 

540 

"3' 

83 

2499 

New.BcdfortJ,    . 

454 

581 

856 

7?6 

1693 

38 

33 '3 

Rthoboth,      .    . 
Ten  more 
bffufes  reported 

688 

«3* 

iiji 

1063 

3405 

9' 

4710 

10 

iftei-wards, 

4i'4 

554' 

7964 

6,)4. 

16074 

7^9 

31709 

B 

AR^ 

STA 

PLE 

cour 

^TY. 

Barnftaple,     .    . 

48- 

'3' 

623 

1301 

li 

s6io 

I  FaJmoiith,      .    . 

ai7 

4,8 

3<>5 

816 

1637 

Sandwich,       .    . 
Yarmouth,     .    . 

H.rwich,    .   .   . 

a&3 

460 

469 

to.; 

47 

'99' 

4;o 

6s. 

667 

'3*7 

33 

2678 

440 

S+S 

S03 

'^43 

239a 

Eaftham,    .    .    . 

3" 

4.6 

43" 

974 

3 

'834 

\Veliflcet,   .    .    . 

301 

351 

562 

'"7 

Chatham,  .    .   . 

i9£ 

^67 

303 

78 

3 

ir40 

"Truro,       .    .    . 

3*4 

»79 

4 

»'93 

Province  Town 

yi 

14a 

99 

2M 

+S4 

•"lantation  of     1 

Mailhpeci       ; 

2; 

35 

37 

72 

'74 

308 

^ 

2880 

4130 

4"97 

868; 

_37i 

'7354 

VoL.ln. 


154  GENERAL    D£SCRIPTION 

DUKES  A^'D  NANTUCKET  COUNTIES. 


I  * 


Edgartoo. 
Tifliuty, 
Chilnmik, 
Nantucket 
County. 

Sheitmi 


.I7 


1.  ] 


WORCESTER    COUNTY. 


Vaxton,      . 

Boylftone, 
Shi-ewibiin' 
Aihol,  .  '. 
New- Brain  tree 
Rutland,  . 
l.cirefter,  . 
Baire,  .  . 
Peterfliain, 
Holden,  . 
Sutton,  .  . 
Oakham,  . 
Grafton,  . 
Berlm,  .  . 
Hardn-ick, 
Dudley,  . 
DouglaiB,  . 
St  ur  bridge, 
Wdlern,  . 
Bfwkfield, 
Charlton,  . 
Spet>«r,  . 
Oxford,  . 
Usbridge, ' 
Mendoa,    . 


978 


,.i 

eoi 

494 

949 

lib 

„« 

1 8a 

170 

lofl 

na 

III 

226 

.»! 

4'S 

■^t. 

20, 

log 

473 

2,, 

'ii 

419 

1S4 

■«;4 

48, 

iHfc 

.g. 

343 

(.6 

i:q 

*45 

S37 

*t)7 

♦  «!> 

401 

74» 

■^°* 

^1)7 

377 

7«, 

30J 

«7t 

20; 

i)' 

fc2t 

6,, 

662 

"97 

IIZ 

IQl 

197 

3»3 

ibl 

=4' 

210 

421 

9- 

I2( 

i,b 

«4! 

♦60 

39' 

«,8 

.«-, 

267 

278 

SS7 

aoo 

267 

26: 

«» 

>^ 

44! 

400 

»!! 

14,! 

=4; 

22: 

4M 

^0. 

7». 

,0. 

•S47 

1+^ 

S02 

490 

971 

1,1 

3.1 

':,i 

2,b 

4«7 

34^ 

ibj 

3S8 

36, 

79S 

OP   MASSACHUSETTS. 


»J5 


WORCESTBR  GOONTY,  CONTINUED. 


^ 

^ 

^ 

J 

■s 

•51 

TOWNS. 

J 

"3 

If 

1, 

J 

i 

g 

i 

1 

|l 

1- 

1 

1 

8 

K 

;& 

(S 

£ 

5 

1- 

in,  .   .    .   . 

1(6 

's.'; 

sn 

>99 

39-t 

29 

833 

:hbridgfi,     . 

«3 

96 

'37 

140 

587 

s 

SO9 

brrf,     ... 

■35 

164 

2»; 

»7S 

■W7 

839 

Iner,    .    .    . 

8S 

9? 

ISl 

.i6 

»i3 

1 

S3' 

legorcad-l 
ng  Oxford  f 

33 

39 

S3 

61 

"3 

^37 

le  gore  ad- 

ling  Stur- 

lO 

10 

■S 

20 

29 

64 

ai4 

"57 

38; 

3»3 

ui 

"3 

1460 

JOq 

a+8 

377 

3W 

M 

142a 

a^     ■    ■    ■ 

.98 

249 

36» 

298 

716 

■387 

^bijrgh,' ; 

.9* 

229 

30s 

310 

663 

2 

la;- 

niofter,    .    . 

166 

li)0 

3'4 

"54 

6., 

8 

..89 

iburgh,   .    . 
Imjnfter, 

166 

181 

.65 

300 

585 

1 

iiji 

',11 

»9S 

310 

S^i 

4 

1.76 

iJflon,      .    . 

19* 

"75 

38: 

57 » 

1130 

;s 

'S9 

2(8 

851 

S^+ 

3 

1016 

aurnbam,    . 

161 

361 

469 

9 

9S' 

ctiendap,     . 

U9 

,58 

B39 

2S<: 

455 

946 

ipltton,    .    . 

■3+ 

•S* 

.31 

2*6 

491 

950 

ibarfton,  .    . 

'38 

'5+ 

a£i 

257 

4+0 

IS 

934 

on,   ...    . 

115 

.4S 

.38 

173 

44a 

86  > 

Iboroiigh,    . 

iia 

14+ 

240 

t 

43* 

4 

933 

hborough,  . 

•u 

'54 

so^ 

449 

837 

thboroiigb, 

101 

j6j 

ij* 

302 

4 

619 

legorend-'l 

.IngUo-     \ 

4 

4 

5 

27 

iftEr,     .     J 

he  giire  aU-  ] 

niiigFiH;K-  V 
rsb,      .       J 
-legort  aJ-1 

a 

= 

= 

6 

6 

14 

oining          I 

4 

4 

5 

6 

If 

a6 

incetown,    J 

8612 

_,9_7iV 

.46.J 

'3^79 

a§mj 

4-09 

'JsTj 

?1 


'S6 


GENERAL    DESCRI^TlOtH 


BERKSHIRE    COUNTY. 


Stock  bridge, 
Weft  Stockbridge 
Lee,    .   .  ■ .   . 
flecket,  .   .   . 
London,     .    .    . 
Tyrington,    .    . 
Great  Barringtoi 
Alford,   .... 
Egrcmont,      .    . 
Mount  VVadi-  1 
ington,     ,       J 
Sheffield,     .    .    . 
•  ■New-Marlbo-    I 
rough,      .      J 
Saodislidd,    .   . 
Beihleheni,     .    . 
South  I  rooo     "1 
acrei  adjoin-     \ 
ing:^  and  is  lie  Id  J 
Bolton  Corner  1 
adjoining         I 
Mount  Wafli'  j' 
ington,     .      J 
Lane  (borough, 
.Adams,  .    ,    , 
Fittsfield,    .    . 
Williamftown, 
Richmond,     . 

Hancock,  .  . 
Pr-tridgpfield, 
Windfor,  .  . 
Waftiington, 
Dahnn,  .  .  . 
New-Aniford, 
In  the  ;^ 

i  joining  Ada  1 1;_ 
and  Windfor, 


UIU,      . 

ead-1 
for,  J 


2S!1 

g8 


2S3 
258 
48 


346 
3»S 


3z8 
142 
.87 


33^ 


463 
3S0 


664 
■37f> 


lof 


454 
>83 


OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 
BERKSHIRE  COUNTY,   CONTINUED. 


•J7 


1     . 

■§ 

£ 

^ 

^"S 

S 

B            1 

g 

•OWNS. 

1 

^ 

II 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 
1 

1  K 

1 

's 

2 

£  '" 

1' 

^ 

3 

.2 

gore  ad-") 

g^wii.  1 

7 

s 

" 

=" 

5' 

iplaDtacioD 

1. 

>« 

16 

21 

4. 

78 

U76 

4839 

7366 

7!9,1 

14609 

1^ 

30291 

SUMMARY   0 

F    POPULATION. 

S 

1 

1 

j 

ii 

1 

1 

i 

1 

1 

.5 

1 

^    g. 

^ 

1 

"5 

1 

s 

B  i 

S" 

1 

■3 

'A 

'^ 

•A 

u. 

5 

H 

County 

23 

63.- 

80,8 

"37' 

9334'  *3"4 

"^ 

4487; 

3.      .      . 

764 

.08S3 

14863 

13563)  3020S 

57913 

ex  do. 

41 

S99 

jSBo 

11040 

9606'  11494 

597 

4*737 

liredo. 

60 

91S 

,6,, 

15119 

i50n|  19099 

45 

596B, 

thdo. 

'S 

41 V 

5'73 

7500 

^■53+1  '4998 

503 

29535 

lo.      . 

'S 

4.^1 

S!4i 

7964 

6941    16074 

729 

3170(1 

Ac  do. 

234 

rfS, 

42rjO 

4097      8685 

572 

'7354 

lo.       . 
:et  do. 

1} 

f^,'^ 

r  8«« 
1 1193 

f    7'4;'696 
I1Q.6U301 

{,S 

J7885 

er  do. 

49 

86rq;  0729 

,46.; 

13679    28104 

400 

568^7 

edo. 

26     1  447f'|  4«99 

,366 

7793;  '4S09     3*3 

30*91 

jfi^  '5477765779 

gU53    87^89(90588-  5463 

^7^787 

158  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

From  the  foregobg  account  of  the  population  of  this  §iate,  it  ap^ 
|>ears  to  its  honour,  that  it  does  not  contain  a  fingle  flave. 

The  population  of  this  State  is  rapidly  on  the  increafe,  and  we 
have  every  reaibn  to  believe,  that  were  a  frelh  cenfus  to  be  taken,  the 
totar  amount  of  the  inhabitants  would  be  fouq4  to  be  near  ttiree 
lundi'ed  and  ninety  thouiand. 

MILITARY  STRENGTH. 

Trom  a  view  of  the  foregoing  number  of  inhabitants,  it  is  evident 
tfiat  in  cafes  of  emergency,  this  State  can  bring  a  very  la^ge  military 
force  into  adtion,  more  efpecially  when  it  is  confidered  that  their 
^dttve  n^itia  is  compofed  of  all  the  able-bodied,  white  male  citizens 
from  fixtecn  to  forty  years  of  age,  excepting  officers  of  government, 
,  sod  thofc  who  liave  held  commiffions,  &c.  Tlie  whole  is  com- 
plctely  armed  and  organized,  and  is  formed  into  nine  divifioos,  each 
tommanded  by  a  major-general ;  nineteen  brigades,  confifting  of  fe- 
Tcnty-nine  regiments  of  infantry  ;  eleven  battalions  of  cavalry,  and 
eight  battalions  of  ^^rtillery  j  together  forming  a  well-regulated  body  of 
more  than  fifty  thoufand  infantr}',  two  thoufand  cavalry,  and  one 
thoufand  five  hundred  artillery  men,  with  (ixty  pieces  of  field  artiU 
Jery.  This  a<5^ive  military  corps  is  aflembled  by  companies  for  dif^ 
cipline,  in  their  refpe<5live  diftiicts,  four  times  a  year;  and  once  a 
year  by  regiments  or  brigades ;  at  which  time  they  are  reviewed  aJ3ji 
infpedted. 

Befides  the  military  flrength  above  mentioned,  which  njay  be. 
confidered  as  the  adtive  militia  of  the  State,  there  are  enrolled  about 
twenty- five  thoufand  men,  from  forty  to  fixty  years  of  age,  who  arc 
obliged  always  to  keep  themfelves  completely  armed ;  and  they. are 
required,  under  penalty  by  law,  to  exhibit  their  arms  pncc  a  year  to 
their  reijpedtive  captains,  who  make  returns  thereof.  This  laft  corps 
i?  called  the  alarm  lift,  and  may  be  properly  cjiftinguiflied  as  thj. 
Carps  de  Rcfci've  of  the  Commonwealth* 

RELIGION,  CHARACTER,  AND.  MANNERS, 

The  religion  of  this  State  or  Coip.morxvvealth  is  eftablilhed,  by 
their  excellent  conftitution,  on  a  moft  liberal  and  tolerant  plan.     AlV 
perfons  of  whatever  religious  profcflion  or  fentiments,  may  worfbip^ 
God  a'rreeably  to  the  didlates  of  their  own  confcience^  unrnplefted. 
provided  they  dp  not  diftnrb  the  peace. 


- 


OF    MASSACHUSETTS*.  1*59 

The  following  ftatemcnt  (hews  what  are  the  feveral  religious  de^ 
tiominations  in  this  State>  and  their  proportional  numbers,  agreeable 
to  the  foregoing  cenlus. 


Dcnomioations. 

NumWrof 

Suppofed  nifriiber  of 

, 

Copgregatioat. 

each  ^enomioanoo^ 

Congregationalifls, 

400 

11871600 

Baptidsy        •         • 

84 

63,396 

£pifcopalians, 

16 

14,104 

Friends  or  Quakers, 

16 

7,940 

Prefbyterians, 

.     .        .             4          « 

3*765 

Untverfaliftsy 

*    . 

•       r      i>388 

Roman  Cathojiicsy 

* 

.      •           •        1 

694 

Total  517  378*787 

In  this  fiateinent,  it  is  fqppofed  that  all  the  inhabitants  in  the  State;. 
condder  themfelves  as  belonging  to  one  or  the  pther  of  the  religious 
denomination^  mcnUoned.  ^ 

Although  this  may  not  pe  an  exa£t  apportionqnent  of  the  difFerent 
fe^s,  yet  it  is  perhaps  as  accurate  as  the  nature  of  the  fubje<ft  will 
allow,  and  fufiicient  to  give  a  ge^ieral  idea  of  the  proportion  which 
the  icveral  denoqiinations  Jaear  to  eacji  other. 
~  The  number  of  congregational  churches  in^i749,  was  two  hunn 
drcd  and  fifty. 

In  1760,  the  number  of  inhabitants  in  this  State  was  about  two 
hundred  and  fixty-eight  thoufand  eight  hundred  and  fifty,  and  the 
proportiori  of  the  fe£l3  was  ^hen  neatly  as  follov^'s,  viz. 


Congregationalifts, 
Friends  meetings, 
Baptifls,        • 
Epifcopalians, 
Prefbyterians, 


Congrtgatiens.        Suppofcd  number  of 

fouls  of  each  fc^ 


306 
22 
20 

4 


22^,426 
16,192 

H>7*3 
9.568 

fl^>944 


Total  365  ^6^,850 

The  charaftcr  and  manners  of  the  people  of  this  State  arc,  as  hat 
been  dcfcribed  in  the  general  account  of  New^ngland.* 


*  See  pages  ij  to  17, 


COM- 


t6h  GENERAL   DESCRIPTION 


COMMERCE  AND  MANUFACTURES. 

The  following  abftraf^  of  goods,  wares,  and  merchai 
ported  from  this  State,  from  the  firft  of  Odtober,  1 790,  tc 
of  September,  179X1  will  give  the  befl  idea  of  the  articles 
from  this  State. 

•  « 

EXPORTS  yr^OT  Massachusetts,  fromOHoberi^  i?^ 

timber  ^U  1791-  . 
Aih,Pot 
— — ,Pearl 

Apples "  *  •  '  •  • 

Bricks 

Smith's  bellows 

Boat^  •  •  • 

Beer,  ale,  and  porter,  • 

Boots  •  • 

Brimftone 
Blacking  or  Lampblack, 

Cider  •     • 


Chalk  -  .     * 

Cotton 

CeSee 

Cocoa  « 

Chocolate  • 

^"     ■  ■ — Wax 

■  Tallow 
Cables  and  cordage  • 

»    .   ■ 


Copper — (3re 

-^-l •  Manufactured 

Coals  ■         .  • 

Cranberries 

Canes  and  walking-fticks 

Cards,  cotton  and  wool 

Coaches,  chaifes,  phaetons 


» 


783 

1 

«|iS9 

IJ131 

^^o,^io 

% 

• 

7S 

i5»S3* 

339 

3,280 

^S8 

292 

310 

10 

i3t37i 

68,044. 

2,804 

331 

348 

169 

1,106 

•  3* 

18 

16 

20 

1,480 

1,548 

I 

688 

d 

96 

»S 

d 

16 

6t   MA»9AGHlfJi£tT8i 

kxioTLr»\frm  MJissACBdtBTTSy  cmuimmJi. 
viaits  and  w^ggohs  k 

I^uck,  American  • 

•2)ri5(fg'j— Glauber  Salts        * 
Saflafras  root  • 

•^«rfi«i-Bu<fr/— Yellow,  or  queen^s 

Stone 
flaxfecd  *  . 

^ax  ,  ,  , 

leathers  .  .       ' 

J'lints 

^.tfwr>  ^y^Boats  * 

HouiTes 
Windows  and  dooii 

Tables  4  * 

JDeiks 

Sure&US  • 

Sophs^  •  « 

Clhefis  ^ 

« 

^Vmdfor  and  ru(h  chairs 
9-iri»-Fi(h  dried 
3>itto  pickled  ^ 

X)il,  Whale 

Oil,  Spermaceti  * 

Spermaceti  Candles  . 

Whakbone  »  * 

tiling  •  . 

*^ndftonci 
<^/«/5-.Wai« 

Window  . 

^^'^cer/W— -Caffiaand  cinnamon 

Pimento  k  « 

Pepper  %     ,  » 

Brown  fugar  * 

Raifins  «  4 

*^^«  andpulfi* 
Wheat 
Rye 


t6t 


?4>!& 


^. 


Barlqr 


4 

ft88 

bolts 

« 

lbs. 

«7 

tons 

9» 

crates 

»5 

doz. 

6>6f6 

hhds* 

«,700 

lbs/ 

too 

do» 

40,000 

10 

180 

30 

3? 

»3 

16 

5 

70s 

• 

54 

3s6,j6o 

cwh  • 

■0,177 

brrbi 

470,810' 

gal. 

70,266 

do. 

4,9*7 

boxes 

8$,i6i 

lbs. 

3»«>96 

do. 

104 

fli 

crates 

13 

boxes 

»>i78 

lbs4 

$.S5« 

do. 

9» 

do^ 

3>904 

do. 

io« 

doi 

t 

bulk. 

*>3So 

do» 

3* 

do. 

ExFOftTS 

l6z  GENEltAL    DESCRIPtlON 

l>xTo%Tt  from  Mas$achjj sttt$^e0Hfinued» 

Grain  and pulfe^^ln^^VL  corn  •           69,064 

Oats                 .  ,                  447 

Peas  and  beans           •  •            39746 

Hofns  and  homtips           •  •           71,281 

EEatt               •                •  •                 3yo 

Hops               •                4  •             650 

Hly           •            .            .  .              63 

JfM'mjrougifi'^^Axes            •  •           66z 

Scythes                   •  «                 48 

Locks  and  bolts           •  •              s,ooo  ' 

Shovels               •  0                 fl47 

Skimitiers  and  ladles  •                 i^ 

Anchors                •  •                  66 

Mufkets            •            «  tf              60 

CutlalTes            «  «                      yz 

Knive)  and  forks            •  «            24O 

Chefts  of  carpenter's  tools  .                 4 

/rM-f/f^— Pots,  kettles,  &c,  •             70Z 

Cannon                •  •                  2j 

Shot  for  cannon           •  •           1,000 

Iron  the  tott'-^Yig             0  •                 173! 

Bar                m            *  «              36, 18 

Nail  rods           •            <  ^               i 

Hoops            •                •  •                I 

^fndigo                .             .  •               i»*3S 

Leather,  tanned  and  dreffed  w              1,240 


Lune            ^  •                •                 4^6 

Shot               .  *                4               2^,5^3 
Livejlock 

Horned  cattle  #              «            65^ 

Horfes               •  ^            ^           324 

Sheep            •  ,             •             5>i^40 

Hogs'           •  •             «                619 

Poultry            •  •             #              999 

Merchandize,  foreign  •            179 

Molafles           •  «            «                xi;42i 

Milldones  40 

Mufiard               •  •            •                789 


6t   MABSAGHI^&EtTSi 

V^andwaggohs  ^  * 

I^ucky  American  •  • 

•2>nif^,f--Glaiibcr  Salts  *  ♦ 

Saflaf ras  root  •  • 

^«r«8«i-wtfr/— Yellow,  or  queen^s 

Stone  •  •  • 

I^axfccd  *  .  . 


I6l 


^i/g^ 


IS  .  • 

•^-ftwriri  e^Boats  * 

Houfes 

AVindows  and  doort 
^"^^EAsboU furniture^ 

Tables  •  * 

l>e(k8  • 

SureAUS  •  • 

SophiH  •  * 

Cheib 

Wmdfor  and  ru(h  chairs 

nVi»-Fi(h  dried 

Ditto  pickled  ^ 

X)il,  Whale 

Oil,  Spermaceti  * 

Spermaced  Candles 

Whakbone  » 

^^fing  .  * 

*^«idftonci 

J-*Warc  .  k 

Window  . 

^-mW-^Caffiaand  cinnamon 
Pimento  ^ 

Pepper  %     . 

Brown  fugar  * 

Raifins  «  « 

Wheat  »  i 

Rye  V  * 


"^^•tt 


Barlef 


4 

a88 

bolts 

• 

Ibi. 

»7 

tons 

9» 

crates 

»J 

doz. 

6i6l;6 

hhds. 

«,7oo 

lbs. 

too 

<kH 

40,000 

10 

tSo 

30 

37 

■3 

16 

$ 

70s 

• 

54 

396,560 

CWtw 

•0.177 

brrbi 

470,810' 

gal. 

70,166 

do. 

4,9»7 

boxes 

85,161 

lbs. 

3»«>96 

do. 

104 

fli 

crates 

n 

boxes 

ts\i% 

lbs. 

i^^^r. 

do. 

9* 

do^ 

3>904 

do. 

too 

d«K 

t 

bulk. 

*,3Jo 

dQ» 

3* 

do. 

ExFOftTS 

F-54 


eEKE&AL  PESCRIPTJON 
E^ro%Ts  firm  Massachv^cttb,  fvuinued^ 


Sfifiu — Cordials 

6tfi//irry— -Saddles  and  bridles  • 

Carriage  harneis  • 

Shoes  •  • 

Soap  «  «  • 

Snuff  ,  • 

Stc& 

Sprucei  Eflence  of  < 

Salt  .  V 

Seeds,  Hay  «  t 

Siitu  andfyri"^ 

Morocco  •  « 

.  Calf  in  ^r  •  • 

Peer  and  naooie        .  • 

Bears,  &c.  V  ^ 

J  Deer^^id  other  (kiH9  unknown 

pitt6|  nia|iirfafture4  t  • 

Tallow    '       ,  .  , 

Twine  •  ,  4 

Tow  cloti  ,  ♦ 

Toys  for  children  •  ^ 

Tin  manufaftured  • 

Soudbong  I  , 

Green  t  « 

Hyfoi^  f  •  ♦ 

Tincgar  '         ,  ^  , 

^««— Madeira  ♦  , ' 

Other  wm^s  \  • 

Bottled'  , 

WaXyBe^  •  « 


69 

70 
14 

3>40o 

'  479 

x>939 

*7 

3» 

3>647 

13* 

*4 


w^ 


i^^^^Staves  and  headings 
Shingles 
Shobks  and  cafks 


1,190 

7i;io)8 

»  7  5,641: 

1,900 

4»S4? 

3»94o 

10,254 
1,946 

144 

5,45^04; 

ii^3»5,6oo 

«9,895 

15,500 


OF   MASSACHUSETTS*  165 

ExPOlLTs  from  Ma9«achusitt6,  cwimued. 


^«>J^Hoops  and  hop«poles         • 

511,764 

Mafis 

ai9 

Bowfprits 

42 

Booms 

74 

Spars                •                  • 

3»*43 

Handfpikes               «            • 

J3,ia6 

Pumps                » 

*3 

Boxes  and  brakes 

S^ 

Blocks 

5,i6» 

Oars  and  rafters           • 

33,9580 

Trunncls 

35*905 

Cedar  and  oak  knees 

1,051 

Carvings            •             « 

>3 

Aochor-ftocks                • 

375 

Oak  boards  and  planks 

568, 56  j; 

feet 

Fine  boards  and  planks. 

«i,i36,xoi 

do. 

Other  do. 

3»448>369 

do. 

Scantling 

516,681 

Oak  aqd  pine  timber 

68,438 

Oak  and  pine  do. 

i3»3^^ 

tons 

Oak  pine 

6,436 

pieces 

Oak,  pifte,  and  lUck'ry 

494 

cords 

Oak  bark 

n 

do. 

Oak  ditto  ground 

6 

hhds. 

Maft  hoops 

no 

doz. 

Yokes  for  oxen            • 

96 

Sefides  a  variety  of  fmaller  articles. 

Value  of  goods,  wares  and  merchandize  \      Dolls. 

Ct. 

exported  in  the  above-mentioned  yea 

tr       Ja,44S»975-   S3 

muft  be  noted,  that  the  foregoing  abfiraf^  comprehends  thoic  ar» 

only  which  wero  exported  to  foreign  ports ;  the  domeftic  trade 

^  ^ot  taken  into  the  account.   Shoes,  cards,  hats,  faddleiy,  and  va- 

^^Vis  other  naauufa^res,   and  feveral  articles  of  produce  of  the 

^^^ntry,  to  a  great  amount,  were  the  fame  year  exported  to  the 

^them  Sutes. 

"^his  State  owns  more  than  three  times  as  many  tons  of  ihippix^ 
'     aoyodier  of  the  States,  amdmoretW  one  third  part  of  the  whole 

that 


l66  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

that  belongs  to  the  United  States. *  At  this  period  upwards  of  tbix-ff* 
five  thoufand  tons  are  employed  in  carrying  on  the  fHlierics  ;  fifty-£r 
thoufand  in  the  coafling  buflnefs,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty  tJioU' 
iand  five  hundred  and  fixty  in  trading  with  almofl  all  parts  of  the 
world.  Pot  and  pearl  afhes,  ftaves,  flax-feed,  bees-wax,  &c.  arc 
carried  chiefly  toCreat-Brilain,  in  remittance  for  their  manufactures  » 
mails  and  provifions  to  the  Eaft-Indies ;  fifli,  oil,  beef,  pork,  lumbef» 
candles,  &c.  are  carried  to  the  Weft-Indies,  for  their  produce ;  an^ 
the  two  flrft  articles,  flfli  and  oil,  to  France,  Spain,  and  Portugal  9 
roots,  vegetahfcs,  fruits,  and  fmall  meats,  to  No\'a- Scotia  and  Nevtr- 
Brunfwick;  hats,  faddlery,  cabinet-work,  men's  and  women  ^s 
ilioes,  nails,  tow-cloth,  barley,  hops,  butter,  cheefe,  &c.  to  tti.^ 
louthern  States.  The  Negro  trade  was  prohibited  by  law  iniyyS, 
and  there  is  not,  as  before  obferved,  a  fingle^^i;^  belonging  to  tirre 
Commonwealth, 

With  regard  to  manufa6tures,  if  we  except  printing  types,  florae 
wares,  pitch,  tar  and  turpentine,  and  wine,  mofl,  if  not  all  the  otb.^r 
articles  enumerated  in  the  preceding  pages,  are  manufa&ured  irm  a 
greater  or  lefs  degree  in  this  State.     There-is  a  duck  manufa^ory^  3t: 
Bofton,  from  which  more  than  one  thoufand  feven  hundred  bolts,    of 
forty  yards  each,  faid  to  be  the  beft  duck  ever  before  feen  in  Aixi^- 
rica,  have  been  fold  in  one  year.     Manufadorics  of  this  kind  hav^^ 
been  begun  in  Salem,  Haverhill,  and  Springfield,  and  ar^  in  a  pnE^  • 
mifing  way.    Manufadtories  of  cotton  go9d5  bave  he^n  ^^blifhed  ^t 
Beverley  and  Worcefter ;  and  much  credit  is  due  to  the  patriotic  cb^* 
rafters  who  began  them;  although  by  their  perfeyerio^  exertio»^j 
they  have  not  been  able  to  furmount  the  variou§  obftacles  in-th.e  W3iy 
of  fuccefs.     At  Taunton,  Bridgewater^  Middlebprough,  and  fonc^^ 
other  places,  nails  have  been  qiade  i(i  f^ch  quantities  as  to.  pr^vcim^» 
in  a  great  raeafure,  the  i  mpor  tat  ion  jof  them  from  Britain.  In  this  Sta.^^ 
there  are  tliirteen  paper  mills,  five  on  Neponfet  river,  five  o^  Charl^ 
river,  one  at  Andover,  on  Shawflieen  river,  one  at  Springfield,  4*^*^ 
the  other  at  Sutton,  in  Worcefter  county.    Ten  of  thefe  njills  ba"^^ 
two  vats  each,  and  when  in  a£lion,  employ  ten  men,  and  as  ma^^*? 
girls  and  boys,  and  produce  at  the  rate  of  fixty  thouTand  reams     ^^ 
writing,  printing,  and  wrapping  paper,  annually.    It  is  cftimat:^. 
that  twenty  thoufand  pounds   worth  of  paper  is  yearly  m^ide.*-'^ 
thefe  mills ;  arid  the  quantity  and  quality  is  annually  ^nd  rapidly  |^  ^" 
creaJQng;. 

*  Sec  page  279,  voV  u 


,.^or  m^sachusettsj.  167 

*^  principal  card  manufactory  is  in  Bofton,  and  belongs  to  Mr. 
Giles  Richards,  and  Co.  in  which  are  made  yearly  about  (even  thou« 
fand  dozen  of  cotton  and  wool  cards^,  of  the  various  kinds  or  num- 
bers, which  confume  about  a  hundred  calks  ^of  wire,  averaged  at 
thirty  pounds  a  calk,  and  about  twenty  thoufand  tanned  calf,  flieept , 
and  Jamb  fkins,  at  two  fliillings  each.    The  fticking  of  thefe  cards 
employs  not  lefs  than  one  thoufand  people,  chiefly  children,  and 
about  fixty  men  are  fully  occupied  in  manufacturing  card  boards,  card 
tacks,  and  finifhing   the  cards.      It  is  eflimated  that  about  two 
^oufand  dozen  cards  are  made  at  the  other  manufactories  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  State. 

There  is  a  fhoe  manufactory  at  Lynn,  eight  miles  to  the  north- 

''^ard  of  B#fton,  in  the  county  of  ElTex.    It  is  not  eafy  to  fix  the 

number  of  fhoes  annually  made  by  the  induftrious  inhabitants  of 

^l^is  town,  but  it  has  been  eftimated  by  thofe  moft  competent  to  form 

an  accurate  judgment,  that,  belides  the  home  confumption,  and  the 

^^gt  numbers  fent  every  week  to  fiofton  and  other  places,  feveral 

^iJndred  thoufand  pair  are  fliipped  to  the  different  parts  of  the  United 

^^tes.     One  man,  Mr,  B.  Johnfon,  from  his  own  workfhop,  ia 

^^e  courfe  of  feven  months,  fhipped  twenty  thoufand  fix  hundred 

P^'r  of  (hoes,  valued  at  four  thoufand  nine  hundred  and  feventy- 

^^'ie  pounds  fix  {hillings,  exclufive  of  large  numbers  fold  in  the  vi- 

^Uk  and  thread  lace,  of  an  elegant  texture,  are  manufactured  by 
^^men  and  children,  in  large  quantities,  in  the  town  of  Ipfwich,  in 
^•Wex  county,  and  fold  for  home  confumption  and  exportation  in 
^^fton,  and  other  mercantile  towns.  This  manufaCtor}',  if  properly 
'^^gvilated  and  ^couraged,  might  be  productive  of  great  and  exten« 
^^  advantages.  In  the  year  1790,  no  lefs  than  forty-one  thoufand 
"^^  hundred  and  feventy-nine  yards  were  made  in  this  town  ; 
^'^^  the  quantity,  it  is  fuppofed,  has  fince  been  conliderably  increafed. 

-^  wire  manufactory  has  lately  been  ereCted  at  a  confiderable  ex- 
P^t^ce  in  Dedham,  in  Suffolk  county,  for  the  purpofe  of  drawing 
^^«  for  the  ufe  of  the  filh-hook  and  card  manufacturers  in  Boilon. 

*^c  effays  which  have  already  been  made  promife  fuccefs. 

"I'here  are  feveral  fnuff,  oil,  chocolate,  and  powder  mills  in  dif- 

^^cnt  parts  of  the  State ;  and  a  number  of  iron  works  and  flitting 

^^Is.    Thofe  in  the  towns  of  Middleborough,  Bridgwater,  Taun- 

^^,  Attleborough,  Stoughton,  and  that  neighbourhood,  which,  in 

^^nfcquence  of  the  great  quantity  of  iron  ore  faund  in  that  diftriCt, 

are 


^re  beconiie  the  fiiat  of  the  Ubn  mann&^utes,  are  HSi  to  flit  aiU 
£x  hundred  tons ;  and  one  company  has  lately  been  formed 
uriir  annually  manufa£l'ure  into  nails  of  a  quality  equal  to  thol 
ported  from  Europe,  five  hundred  tons — ^The  number  of  ipikc 
Hails  made    in  thit   State  is  almoilb    treble    the   quantity 
in  17889  and  is  ffill  increafing  ;  and!  from  the  great  abundance  < 
raw  niatcrial9„  will  probably  foon  frecluie  all*  forei^gn  fu^ly, 
become  an  article  of  export.    Bcfides  thefe  there  are  other  mil 
common  ufe,  in  great  abundance,  for  (a vKng  lumber,  grinding  • 
fulling  cloth,  &c. 

There  are  (ixty»two  diftilleries.in  this  State,  em|(oyed  in  did 
from  foreign  materials.  In  thefe  diftilleries  are  ome  hundre 
fifty-eight  llillsi  which  together  contain  one  hundred  and  two 
fand  one  hundred  and  feventy-three  gallons.  Belides  thefe,  the 
twelve  country  flills  employed  in  diftilling  domeftic  materials 
thefe  are  fmall,  and  the  moft.of  them  very  lately  erected.  Om 
lion  nine  hundred  thoufand  gallons  have  been  diftilled  in  one 
which,  at  a  duty  of  eleven  cents  a  gallon,  yields  a  revenue  t 
government  of  two  hundred  nine  thoufand  dollars. 

A  brick  pyramidicalglafs-houfe  was  ereAed  in  Bofton  by  a 
pany  of  gentlemen  in  1789;  but  for  want  of  workmen  (killed  i 
bufinefs,  their  works  were  not  put  in  operation  effectually  til 
veniber  1792;  and  although  feveral  of  the  firft  ei&ys  or  me 
proved  unfuccefsful,  later  eflays  give  the  fuUeft  ground  to  b 
that  this  veiy  important  manufadure  may  be  profecuted  to  tl 
vantage  of  the  proprietors,  a9  well  as  to  the  great  benefit  o 
public.  From  the  fpecimens  of  glafs  exhibited,  it  appears  to 
the  hc(k  quality  for  clearnefs  and  goodnefs ;  and  as  there  is  an  ; 
dance  of  the  materials  for  this  manu£iAure  at  command,  there  c 
little  doubt  of  its  being  carried  to  fuch  an  extent,,  in  the  courf 
few  years,  as  to  preclude  foreign  importations,  which  will  m 
vaft  faving  to  America  in  general,  and  to  this  State  in  partii 
Every  frieo  i  to  tire  United  States  muft  wi(h  that  the  patriotic  con 
which  have  eflabliflied  this  manufadure,  may  meet  with  fuch  fi 
as  to  have  their  expenfes  reimburfed,  which  have  already  cxc 
the  fum  of  fixteen  thoufand  dollars. 

BANKS. 

C6nne(2ed  with  the  commerce  and  manufisi^lures,  are  the 
cftabUflYed  in  this  State ;  we  have  already  noticed  the  utility  of 
eftablifhment8>  we  iliall  therefore  only  briefly  mention  them  he 


I- 
el 


'■» 

m 

IS 

•t 

11- 


OF   MASSACHUSETTS.     '  i6^ 

1^  art  four  bcorporatcd  banks  lo  this  Commonwealth^   of- 
^hicb  t&e  Branch  Bank  in  Bofion,  which  is  a  part  of  the  National* 

Tie  Malfechufctts  Bank  in  Boftoa  was  incorporated  in  1784.    It 

^^35  deflgncd  as  a  public  benefit,  and  more  particularly  to  accommo* 

^atethe  mercantile  intereft.    Its  prefcnt  capital  confifb  of  eight  hun* 

red  ihares,  of  five  hundred  dollars  each,  making  in  all  four  hnn» 

dred  thouiand  dollars.    It  is  kept  open  every  day  in  the  year,  except- 

public  days.    The  annual  meeting  for  the  choice  of  nine  dire<5tors 

^s  on  the  firft  Wednefday  in  January. 

^flcxBank,  at  Salem,  was  incorporated  in  1792,  and  is  under  the 
'Management  of  a  prefident  and  fix  dire<Etors. 

Union  Bank,  in  Bofton,  was  alfo  incorporated  in  1792)  and  has  a 

prefident  and  eleven  dire6^ors.   Its  capital  confifVs  of  one  hundred 

^^oufand  fliares,  of  eight  dollars  each,  fo  that  when  the  payment  of  the 

lares  (hall  be  completed,  the  whole  flock  will  amount  to  eight  hun- 

^^ed  thoufand  dollars. 

FUBUC  IMPROVEMENTS. 

Among  the  foremoft  of  thefe,  we  muft  confider  thofe  that  refpeS 
''^^'gation;  in  this  clafa  we  nnuft  reckon  the  erection  of 

LIGHT  HOUSES. 

^cfe  within  this  State  arc  as  follow :     on  Plum-Ifland,   near 
^^t^Ury,  are  two,  which  we  have  already  mentioned :  on  Thatcher's- 
^^^>  off  Cape  Ann,  two  lights  of  equal  height ;  another  flands 
^^  ^  rock  on  the  north  fide  of  the  entrance  of  Bofton  harbour,  with 
^^^  fingle  light :  on  the  north  point  of  Plymouth  harbour  are  two 
^^^s  ;  on  a  point  at  the  entrance  of  the  harbour  on  the  illand  of 
**ntucket,  is  one  with  a  fingle  light  5  this  light  may  be  feen  as  far 
Nantucket  fhoah  extend  ;  the  ifland  being  lo^^i  the  light  appears 
**^er  it. 

^ext  to  thefe  we  mufl  rank  thofe  which  add  to  the  convenience 
^he  inhabitants,  and  operate  to  the  advantage  of  commerce ;  fuch 

BRIDGES  AND   CANALS^ 

-^  Tr*he  bridges  that  merit  notice  in  this  State  are  the  following,  viz. 

^^rles  river  bridge,  built  in  1786-7,  one  thoufand  five  hundred  and 

2r^*^e  feet  kng,  and  connecting  Boflon  and  Charlcfton.    It  is  built  onr 

^  ^^nty-five  piefs,  with  a  eonvenient  draw  in  the  middle,  foriJie. 

VoLvIJ.  Z  paflagc 


i*jo  geKeral  description 

paiTage  of  vcflels.    Each  pier  is  compofed  of  feven  flicks  of  o; 

timber)  united  by  a  cap  piece,  firong  braces  and  girts,  and  aft« 

wards  driven  into  the  bed  of  the  river,  and  firmly  fecured  by  a  fin^ 

pile  on  each  fide,  driven  obliquely  to  a  folid  bottom.    The  pien  i 

conive^ed  to  each  other  by  large  ib*ing  pieces,  which  are  coven 

with  four  inch  plank.     The  bridge  is  forty- three  feet  in  widt)},  an 

on  eich  fide  is  accommodated  with  a  pafiage  fix  feet  wide,  railed  in  f( 

the  fafety  of  the  people  on  foot.     The  bridge  has  a  gradual  hfefroi 

each  end,  fo  as  to  be  two  feet  higher  in  the  middle  than  at  the  e: 

tremities.    Forty  elegant  lamps  are  ere6ted,  at  a  fuitable  diftan* 

from  each  other,  to  illuminate  it  when  neceflary.     There  are  fo 

ilrong  (lone  wharfs  conne6led  with  it,  and  fupported  by  three  pic 

each,  funk  in  the  river.    The  machinery  of  the  draw  is  fimple,  a 

requires  but  two  men  to  raife  it.     At  the  htgheft  tides  the  water  ri 

twelve  or  fourteen  feet ;  the  floor  of  the  bridge  b  then  about  fc 

feet  above  the  water.  The  depth  of  the  water  in  the  channel  at  1< 

tide  is  twenty-feven  feet.    This  bridge  was  completed  in  thirtt 

months ;  and  while  it  exhibits  the  greated  effect  of  private  ent 

prize  of  this  kind  in  the  United  States,  it  being  the  firft  bridge 

oonfiderable   magnitude  that  has  been  ereded,    prefents  a   m 

pleafing  proof,  how  ceitainly  objeds  of  magnitude  may  be  attau 

by  fpirited  exertions* 

*  The  fuccefs  which  attended  this  experiment  led  others  to  engage 
Cmilar  works  of  enterpriiei  Maiden  bridge  acrofs  Myftic  river,  c< 
tieSing  Charlefton  with  Maiden,  was  begun  in  April  1787,  and  \ 
opened  for  paiTengers  the  September  folflowing.  This  bridge, 
eluding  the  abutments,  i^  two  tboufadd  four  hundred  aiid  twenty  f 
long,  and  thirtyi'two  feet  ivide,  it  has  a  draw  thirty  feet  wide.  T 
dcepcft  waticr  at  full  tide  is  twenty-three  feet.  The  expenfe  of  t 
bridgjT'was  eftimated  at  five  thbufand  three'  hundred  pounds. 

EjflTex  bridge;  upwards  of  one  thbula^d' five  hundred  feet  iiileng 
with  a  tvd{-eoilkivi6d  draW,  was  erected  f&!  ''178^,  and  conhe^s  I 
leni  wttd  Beverl^)!^  Tht  expenfe  of  this  bridge  is  faid  not  to  hs 
exceeded  one  third  part  of  tfa^t  Of  Charles  river  bridge,  yet  It  is 
teemed  quite  equal  in  firtn|^f  ftnd  is  thought  by  travellers  to 
^iperior  in  point  of  beauty. 

In  Rowleyi  op  the  poft  rOad  bdtweeh  Bofton  and  Newburyport, 
a  bridge  acrofs  ?atk(n''8  rivei*,  eight  hundred  and  feyenty  feet  lo 
4nd  twenty*fiy  ip^t  wide^  confiding  of  nine  folid  piers,  and  ei 
wmdea  archd.    Ti^  ^-idge  was  buib  in^the  year  1758. 

A  briji 


OP    MASSACHUSETTS.  I7I 

A  bridge  over  Merrimack  river,  in  the  county  of  £flex,  about  two 
miles  above  Newburyport,  is  nearly,  if  not  quite  completed.    At 
the  place  where  this  bridge  is  ereded,  an  ifland  divides  the  river  into 
two  branches.     An  arch  of  one  hundred  and  iixty  feet  diameter,  and 
forty  feet  above  the  level  of  high  water,  connects  this  ifland  with  the 
main  on  one  fide ;  the  channel  on  the  other  fide  is  wider,  but  the 
center  arch  is  but  one  hundred  and  forty  feet  diameter.    Greater  in- 
genuity is  difcovered  in  the  conflrufllon  of  this  bridge,  than  in  any 
that  have  hitherto  been  built ;  and  it  is  one  among  the  vafl  number 
of  Ihipendous  and  ufeful  works  which  owe  their  origin  to  that  confi- 
dence betvi'een  man  and  man,  which  has  been  created  or  reilored  by 
themeafures  of  the  general  government. 

Another  ingenioufly  ^onflrufted  bridge  has  lately  been  completed 
over  this  river  at  Pautucket  Falls,  between  Chelmsford  and  Dracut, 
in  the  county  of  Middlefex.  Thefe  bridges  are  all  fupported  by  a 
toll. 

Several  other  bridges  are  contemplated  in  different  parts  of  the 
^tate,  and  one  is  adlually  begun,  and  confiderable  progrefs  made  in 
^t>  which,  when  completed,  will  coni^e6t  the  weft  part  of  BoftoQ 
^'ith  Cambridge,  over  Charles  river,  and  will  be  more  than  twice  as 
^ong,  and  attended  with  nearly  twice  the  expenfe  of  any  other  that  has 
yet  been  built  in  thisor  in  any  of  the  United  States. . 

The  legiflature,  in  February  1 792,  were  petitioned  by  a  compan}! 
^r  liberty  to  build  a  bridge  over  Connedicut  river,  at  Montague ; 
^hich  was  granted. 

The  only  canals  of  importance  which  have  been  coptempfated  in 
^is  Commonwealth,  are  pn^  between  Barpftable  and  Buzzard'i?  Bay, 
^d  thofe  neceflTary  to  render  Conne6licut  river  navigable,  both  of 
^Hich  we  have  mentioned,  and  one  which  fhall  open  9  communicar 
^On  between  the  town  of  Boflon  aqd  fome  paijt  of  Connecticut 
^vcr,  for  which  purpofe  General  Knoi(  an^  o^ers  wjcre  incorpo- 
^tcd  in  i79«,  by  the  naine  of  **  The  proprielqi^  of  the  Maflachu- 
^tts  canal." 

Great  improvements  h^ve  alfo  of  late  been  made  in  feveral  manu- 
during  machines,  by  which' thpfe  fpecies  of  manufacture  in  which 
^ey  are  employed  have  been  greatly  facilitated  in  the  execution,  and 
^^>ver  hands  required. .  But  the  njpft  ingenious  ioiprovement  or  in- 
^^Qtion,  and  which  mod  deferves  notice,  is  a  complete  and  elegant 
Planetarium,  fix  feet  in  diameter,  conflruifled  by  Mr.  Jofepli  Pope. 
^  Boiton*    This  is  entirely  a  work  of  original  genius  and  arduous 

Z  z  appIU 


.17^  .GENERAL  JDBSCaiPTION 

applicatipn,  as  Mr.  Pope  never  law  amachioeot  thekind  dlLhl 
own.  was  completed.  It  exhibits  aproof  of  great  {b:engthofiniii4 
,and  really  does  him  much  honour,  both  su  a  philofopher  and  9  me- 
chanic*  This  machine  has  been  purchafed  for  the  Univeriity  at 
Cambridge,  and  is  a  very  ufeful  and  ornamental  addition  to  the 
philofophical  apparatus. 

NATURAL  CURIOSITIES. 

In  the  north  part  of  the  town(hip  of  Adams,  in  Berkfl)ire  county, 

.not  half  a  mile  from  Stamford,  in  Vermont,  is  a  natural  curiofity 
which  merits  a  defcription,  A  mill  ftreanl,  called  Hudfon's  Brook, 
which  rifes  in  Vermont,  and  falls  into  the  north  branch  of  Hoofuck 
river,  has,  for  thirty  or  forty  rods,   formed  a  very  deep  channel 

,  through  a  quarry  of  white  marble.     The  hill,  gradually  defending 

.  towards  the  fout];i,  terminates  in  a  fteep  precipice,  down  which  pro- 
bably the  water  once  tumbled.     But  finding  in  fome  places  a  natural 

'chafm  in  the:  rocks,  and  in  others  wearing  them  away,  as  is  eviden' 
from. their  appearance,  it  has  formed  a  channel  which  in  ibme  place 

nis.  more  >tban  fi^Lty  feet  deep.  Over  this  channel,  where  deepefl 
Somt  of  the  rocks  remain,  and  form  a  natural  bridge.    From  the  to 

•>pf  thi*  bridge  to  the  water  it  is  fixty-two  feet ;  its  length  is  aboi 
twelve  or  fifteen,  and  its  breadth  about  ten.     Partly  under  th 

fridge,  apd  about  ten  or  twelve  feet  below  it,  is  another,  which 

,  vider,  but  ^ot  fo  long ;  for  at  the  eafl  end  they  form  one  body  < 
rock,  twelve  or  fourteen  feet  thick,  and  under  this  the  water  flow 

.'It  is  evident,  from  the,appea9'ance  of « the  rocks,  that  the  water 
fome  pi^ices  formerly  flowed  forty  or  ^ty  feet  above  its  prefent  b& 
Many  cavkies,  of  4ifirerent  flgives  ^ifid  dimenfioos,  t^it  general 
circular,  are  worn  out  in  the  rocks.  One  of  thefe^  in  the  folid  roc 
is  about  four  feet  iq  diameter,  ai^  fopr  or  five  feet  d^sep ;  the  rock, 
on  one  ^de  worn  through  at  the  bottom.  AJittle.  above  t 
bridge,  pa  .<^$  vi^i  fide  of  the  chafm^  is  a  cave  or  little  vootfXp  whi 
has  a  convenient  entrance  at  the  north,  and  a  paflage  out  at  C 
eail.  From  the  weft  fide  of  this  cave  a  chafm  extends  into  the  h"- 
but  foon  beqeroes  too  narrow  to  paf^.  The  rocks  here  which  ^ 
moflly  white,  though  in  fome  plapes  clouded  or  flreaked  with  otS 
colours,    appear    ta.jbe  of  that  fpecies  of  coarfe  white   mar' 

rwhicb  is  common  91  Laneihorougb,  ^nd  in  other  towns  in  B&AQm 
«ounty, 


OF    MASSACHUSETTS*  1 73 

In  tbe  town  of  Wreatham,  about  two  miles  S.  £«rof  the  meeting 

boafe,  is  a  curious  cavern  called  IVampom^s  Rock^  from  an  Indian  fa- 

fiuljof  diat  name  who  refided  in  it  for  a  number  of  years.  It  is  (ituated 

on  i\i^  fouth  fide  of  a  hill,  and  is  furrounded  by  a  number  of  broken 

rocks.    It  is  nearly  fquare,   each  iide  meafuring  about  nine  fecft. 

The  height  is  about  eight  feet  in  j^ont,  but  from  the  center  it  leflens 

to  about  foyr  feet.    At  prefent  it  ferves  only  as  a  flielter  for  cattle 

andflieep,  as  do  one  or  two  other  rocks  or  caves  in  the  town,  for- 

merly  inhabited  by  Indians. 

Under  this  article  we  mentbn  the  falls  of  Powow  river,  which 
rife  in  New-Hamplhire,  and  fall  into  the  Merrimack  between  Sa« 
liibury  and  Ameibury,  in  the  county  of  ElTex.  At  thefe  falls,  the 
dj&^Qt  of  the  water,  in  the  diftance  of  fifty  rods,  is  one  hundred 
feet,  and  in  its  paffage  carries  one  bloomery,  five  faw  mills,  fevea 
grifl  mills,  two  linfeed  oil  mills,  one  fulling  mill,  and  one  fnuffmill, 
befides  feveral  wheels,  auxiliary  to  different  labours.  The  rapid  fall 
1  of  the  water—the  dams  at  very  (hort  ^iibmces  croffiag  tbe  river — ^the 
various  wheels  and  mills  arifing  almoin  immediately  one  over  ano- 
ther—and the  very  irregular  and  grotefqueiituation  of  the  houfes  and 
other  buildings  on  the  adjoining  grounds,  give  this  place  a  romantic 
Appearance,  and  afford  in  the  whole,  one  of  the  moil  fingular  views 
to  be  found  in  this  country. 

•  Lynn  beach  may  be  reckoned  a  curiofity.  It  is  one  mile  in  lengthy 
and  conne£ls  the  peninfula,  called  Nahant^  with  the  main  land. 
This  is  a  place  of  much  refort  for  parties  of  pleafure  from  Boflon, 
Charlefton,  Salem,  and  Marblehead,  in  the  fumme.r  feafon.  The 
^h  is  ufed  as  a  race  ground,  for  which  it  is  well  calculated,  being 
kvcl,  fmooth,  and  hard. . 

PUBLIC   SOCIl^TIES. 

The  focieties  formed  in  MafTachufetts  with  a  view  to  promote  the 
^Qefit  of  mankind,  exhibit  a  fair  trait  in  the  character  of  its  inbabi-* 
^ts.  Among  the  firfl  literary  inflitutions  in  this  State,  is  the 

AMERICAN   ACADEMY    OF   ARTS   AND   SCIENCES. 

t 

This  fociety  was  incorporated  May  the  4th,  1780.  It  is  declared 
^^  the  a£b,  that  the  end  and  defign  of  the  inflitution  is  to  promote 
*tid  encourage  the  knowledge  of  the  antiquities  of  America,  and  of 
^^e  natural  hiflory  of  the  country,  and  to  determine  the  ufes  to  which 
^G  various  natural  produ&ions  of  the  country  may  be  applied ;  alfo 

to 


174  GENERAL   DESCRIPTION 

to  promote  and  encourage  medical  difcoveries,  mathematical  dUqni- 
iitions,  philofophical  inquiries  and  experiments ;  agronomical,  me- 
teorological, and  geographical  obfervations  ;  improyenaents  in  agri- 
culture, arts,  manufadlure,  commerce,  and  the  cultivation  of  every 
fcience  that  may  tend  to  advance  a  free,  independent,  and  virtuous 
people.  There  are  never  to  be  more  than  two  hundred  membcn,  nor 
lefs  than  forty.    This  fociety  has  four  flated  annual  meetings. 

MASSACHUSETTS    CHAHITABLE   SOCIETY. 

This  fociety,  incorporated  December  i6th,  1779,  is  intended  for 
the  mutual  aid  of  themfelves  and  families,  who  may  be  diftreffcd  by 
any  of  the  adverfe  accidents  of  life,  and  for  the  comforting  and  re- 
lieving of  widows  and  orphans  of  their  deceafed  members.  Itht 
members  of  this  fociety  meet  annually,  and  are  not  to  exceed  an 
hundred  In  number* 

BOSTON   EPISCOPAL  CHARITABLE  .SOCIETTy 

FirK  inftituted  in  1724,  and  incorporated  February  12,  1784,  has 
for  its  object,  charity  to  fiich  as  arc  of  the  epifcopal  church,  and  to 
fuch  others  as  the  fociety  (hall  think  fit ;  but  more  efpecially  the  re- 
lief of  thofe  who  are  members  of,  and  benefactors  to,  the  fociety* 
and  afterwards  become  fuitablc  object?  of  its  charity.  The  mem- 
bers of  this  fociety  meet  annually,  and  are  not  to  exceed  one  huo* 
died  in  number* 


MASSACHUSETTS   MEDICAL   SOCIETY. 

■  « 

Thfe  fociety  was  incorporated  November  I  ft,  1781.  The  defigt* 
of  it  is,  to  promote  medical  and  furgical  knowledge,  inquiries  int^^ 
the  animal  economy,  and  the  properties  and  effefts  of  medicine,  bj^ 
encouraging  a  free  intercourfe  with  the  gentlemen  of  the  faculty 
'  throughout  the  United  States  of  America,  and  a  friendly  correfpoi^  t^ 
dence  with  the  eminent  in  thofe  profeffons  throughout  the  worl 
The  number  of  fellows  who  are  inhabitants  of  the  State,  cannot 
cced  feventy-    The  prefent  number  is  fixty-one,  and  thirteen  hav^ 

died  fince  its  eftablifliment.     The  powers  vefted  in  the  fociety  are 

To  choofe  their  officers,  and  ena<ft ,  any  laws  for  their  own  govern-  ^ 
ment  which  is  not  repugnant  to  the  laws  of  the  Commonwealth—^ 
To  ufe  a  common  feal — To  fiie  and  be  fued — To  hold  real  eflate  ot  ^ 
the  annunl  income  of  two  hundred  pounds,  and  perfonal  eftate  of  th^ 
annual  income  of  fix  hundred  pounds — ^To  eled,  fufpend^  expel  oi^ 

diafhw-^-* 


OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  I75 

jiife  any  fellows  of  the  fociety — ^To  defcribe  and  poiat  out, 
me  to  tiixiey  fuch  a  mode  of  medical  inftrudiion  or  educatioa 
ihall  judge  requifite  for  candidates  for  the  practice  of  phyfic 
gery^ — ^To  examine  all  candidates  who  (hall  offer  theinfelvea 
tnmationy  refpe£Hng  their  fkill  in  the  profeffion — ^And  to  ^ve 
eftimonial  of  their  approbation  to  all  fuch  as  may  be  duly  qua- 
praaife.* 

mittees  are  appointed  in  each  county  to  receive  communica- 
om,  and  to  correfpond  with,  their  medical  brethren  who  are 
3WS  of  this  fociety ;  and  this  has  led  to  the  formation  of  fe- 
edical  aflbciations,  whofe  views  are  to  aid  the  laudable  deiigas 
important  inftitution. 

HUMANE    SOCIETY. 

evidence  their  humanity  and  benevolence,  a  number  of  tk» 
i  and  other  gentlemen,  in  the  town  of  Bofton,  in  17859 
a  fociety,  by  the  name  of  the  Humane  Society,  for  the 
;  of  recovering  perfons  apparently  dead,  from  drowning,  fuf- 
1,  fflrangling,  and  other  accidents.  This  fociety,  which  was 
iratedln  1791,  have  ere£led  fevenhuts,  furhifhed  with  wood, 
cabbins,  tinder  boxes,  blankets,  &c.  two  on  Lovel*s  ifland, 
.  Calf  iiland  in  Boftoa  harbour,  two  on  Nanta(ket  beach,  and 
:  on  Scituate  beach  near  Marllifield,  for  the  comfort  of  fliip- 
d  feamen.  Huts  of  the  fame  kind  are  ere£ted  on  Plum- 
near  Newbury,  by  the  marine  fociety  of  that  place,  already 
ned ;  and  there  are  alfo  fome  contiguous  to  Hampton  and  Sa- 
Beach. 

heir  femi-annual  meetings,  a  public  difcourfe  is.fielivered  by 
erfon  appointed  by  the  truflees  for  that  purpofe,  ou  fome  me- 
[h}e£t  connected  with  the  principal  object  of  the  fociety;  and 
nulus  to  inveftigation,  and  a  reward  of  merit,  a  medal  is  ad- 
annually  by  the  prefident  and  truflees  to  the  perfon  who  ex- 
ile moft  approved  difTertation. 

SOCIETY    FOR.  PROPAGATING   THE  GOSPEL. 

fociety,  formed  for  the  exprefs  purpofe  of  propagating  the 
among  the  Indians,  and  others  in  North-America,  tyas  incor* 

t  qualifications  required  of  candidates  for  examination^  and  the  books  re« 
led   hf    the   fociety,    aye  puUiftMd   io   Fleet's   Ma&^«iett*t   Re^fl«o 

ponUM 


J 


176  .      GENERAL   DESCRIPTION 

m 

porated  November  19,  1787.    They  are  eDabled  to  recdvc  fiibfcrip- 
tions  of  charitably  difpofed  perfons,  and  may  take  any  perfonal  eftscte 
in  fucceffion.     All  donations  to  the  fociety,  either  by  fubicripdoDS^ 
feg^cy,  or  otherwife,  excepting  fuch  as  may  be  differentiy  appro- 
priated by  the  donors,  to  make  a  part  of,  or  be  put  into  the  ca- 
pital ftock  of  the  fociety,  whirh  is  to  be  put  out  on  intereft  on  good 
fecurity,  or  otherwife  improved  to  the  beft  advantage,  and  the  in- 
come and  profits  are  to  be  applied  to  the  purpofes  aforefaid,  in  fuch 
fnanner  as  the  fociety  fhall  judge  moft  conducive  to  aniwer  thedefign 
of  their  inflitution.    For  feveral  years  paft  miflionaries  have  been  ap- 
pointed and  fupported  by  the  fociety  to  vifit  the  eaftem  parts  of  the 
diflri£t  of  Maine,  where  the  people  are  generally  deftitute  of  the 
means  of  religious  inft ration,  and  to  fpend  the  fummer  months 
with  them.     The  fuccefs  of  thefe  miflions  have  been  highly  iatisfac- 
tory  to  the  fociety.      Several  thoufand  books  of  different  kinds 
ibited  to  the  ftate  of  the  people,  have  been  purchafed  by  the  fociety 
funds,  abd  diftributed  among  them  and  the  Oneida  Indians* 

A  part  of  this  lociety  are  a  board  of  commiffioners  from  thm 
Scot's  fociety  for  promoting  Chriftian  knowledge  among  the  Lidlaa 
In  America* 

MA8SACHUSBTT8  SOCIETIf    FOR  PROMOTING   AGRICULTURE. 

This  ibciety  was  incorporated  in  i79«»  in  confequence  of  whic 
the  agricultural  conimlttee  of  the  academy  is  diflblved.  At  a  la^ 
meeting  of  this  fociety^  in  Bofloh,  a  very  confiderable  fum  of  mc 
hey  was  fubfcribed  for  eftablifhing  a  fund  to  defray  the  expciife  • 
premiums  and  bounties,  which  may  be  voted  by  the  fociety. 

HiatbRlCAL   SOCIETY. 

A  fociety  was  eftablifhed  in  this  State  in  1791,  called  the  Hist* 
KicAL  Society,  theprofeffed  defign  of  which  is  to  collet,  pr 
ferve^  and  communicate  matetilils  for  a  complete  hiftory  of  this  counts 
from  the  beginning  of  its  fettlement.  -  . 

Next  to  Pennfylvania,  this  State  has  th^  greatefl  number,  of  f 
cieties  for  the  promotion  of  ufeful  knowledge  and  human  happineC 
and  as  they  are  founded  on  the  broad  bails  of  benevolence,  p- 
TRiOTisM,  and  CHARITY,  they  Cannot  fail  to  profper.  THefe  i 
ftUutions,  which  are  fad.  increaiing.  in  almoft  every  State  in  tl 
ynion^  are  ip, many  ^videnoes  gf  the  advanced  a^id  ad vaoQing .ftate 
CLvUizatton  aad  improvement  in  tlus  country,  and  of  the  •aj^cclleo- 


A.  * 


OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  I77 

our  national  government.  They  prove  likewife  that  a  free  repilb* 
llcah  jgovemhienty  like  *that  of  America,  is  the  moft  happily  calcu- 
lated to  promote  a  general  -diffufion  of  ufeful  knowledge,  and  the 
znoft  favourable  to  the  benevolent  and  humane  feelings  of  the  hu- 
man heart. 

LITERATURE,    COLLEGES,   ACADEMIES,   &C. 

According  to  the  laws  of  this  Commonwealth,  every  town  having 
fifty  houfeholders  or  upwards,  is  to  be  provided  with  one  or  more 
fchool-mafters,  to  teach  children  and  youth  to  read  and  write,  and 
inftrudl  them  in  the  Englirti  language,  arithrfietic,  orthography,  and 
decent  behavioUr ;  and  where  any  town  has  two  hundred  familieS| 
there  is  alfo  to  be  a  grammar  fchool  fet  up  therein,  and  fomc  dif- 
crcet  perfon,  well  inftrudted  in  the  Latin,  Greek  and  Engli(h  lan- 
guages, procured  to  keep  the  fame^  and  be  fuitably  paid  by  the  inha- 
^^fants.    The  penalty  for  negle6t  of  fchools  in  towns  of  fifty  fami- 
''^s  is  ten  poundsj-i— thofe  of  one  hundred  families  twenty  pounds, — 
®^one  hundred  and  fifty,  thirty  pounds. 

^Hefe  laws  refpedling  fchools-  are  not  fo  well  regarded  in  many 
parts  of  .the  State,  as  the  whe  purpofes  which  they  were  intended  to 
anfvv^r,  and  the  happinefs  of  the  f>eople  require. 

^  Boflon  there  are  fcVen  public  fchools,  fupported  wholly  at  the 
cx^^nfe  of  the  town,  and  in  which  the  children  oi  every  clafs  of  citi- 
zens   freely  aflbciate.     In  the  Latin  grammar  fchool  the  rudiments  of 
^"^    Xatin  and  Greek  languages  are  taught,  and  boys  qualified  for 
^^  "Univcrfities  ;  into  this  fchool  none  are  admitted*  till  ten  years  of 
^g^>   having  been  previoufly  well  inftru£led  in  Englifli  grammai\    In 
^"^  three  Englifh  grammar  fchools,  the  children  of  both  fexes,  from 
'ev-en  to  foUrteeti  years  of  agcj  are  indrudted  in  fpelliog,  accenting 
and   reading  the  Englifli  language^  both  profe  and  verfe,  with  pro- 
P^^ty,  alfo  in  Englifli  grammar  and  compofition^  together  with  the 
^"^iments  of  geography  ;  in  the  other  three  the  fame  children  are 
^^^ght  writing  and  arithmetic.     Thefe  fchools  are  attended  alter- 
^^^cly,  and  each  of  them  is  furniflied  with  an  uflier  or  affiftant.  The 
"^^fters  of  thefe  fchools  have  each  a  falary  of  ^\yi  hundred  and  fixty- 
"^  and  two-thirds  dollars  per  annum,  payable  quarterly. 

They  are  all  under  the  immediate  care  of  a  committee  of  twenty-one 

S^ntlemen,  for  the  time  being,  chofeQ  annually,  whofe  duty  it  is 

to  vifit  the  fchools  at  leaft  once  in  three  months,  to  examine  the 

^^holars  in  the  various  branches  in  which  they  arc  taught,  to  devife 

Vo't.IL        •  Aa  the 


1^8  GENERAL   DESCRIPTION 

the  beft  methods  for  the  ioftrudtion  and  government  of  the  fchools^ 
to  give  fiich  advice  to  the  maders  as  they  fhall  think  expedient,  and 
by  all  proper  methods  to  excite  in  children  a  laudable  ambition  to 
excel  in  a  virtuous,  amiable  deportment,  and  in  every  branch  of 
ufeful  knowledge."    At  the  annual  vifitation  in  July  1 792,  there  were 
prefent  four  hundred  and  fcventy  girls,    and  feven  hundred  and 
twenty  boys.     Befidcs  thefe  there  are  feveral  private  fchools,  for 
inftrudtion  in  the  Englifli,  Latin,  and  French  languages — in  writing, 
arithmetic,  and  the  higher  branches  of  the  mathematics — and  alfo  in 
ikiufic  and  dancing.     Perhaps  there  is  not  a  town  in  the  world, 
the  youth  of  which  more  fully  enjoy  the  benefits  of  fchool  educa- 
tion, than  at  Bofton.    And  when  we  confidcr  how  infeparably  th< 
happinefs    and    profperity  of  America,    and   the  exillcnce  of  i^ 
prefent  happy  government,    are  conne6ted  with  the  education  < 
children,  too  much  credit  cannot  be  given  to  the  enlightened    < 
tizens  of  thl!^  town,  for  the  attention  they  have  paid  to  this  imp^ 
tant  bufinefs,  and  the  worthy  example  they  have  exhibited  ior  1 
imitation  of  others. 

Next  in  importance  to  the  grammar  fchools  are  the  academies^ 
which,  as  well  as  in  the  grammar  fchools,  young  gentlemen  arefi"* 
for  admiffioh  to  the  univeriity. 

DUMME&   ACADEMY, 

Dummer  academy,  at  Newbury,  was  foundeil  as  early  as  1756,  - 
raeans  of  a  liberal  donation  from  the  Honourable  William  Dumrr" 
formerly  Lieutenant-governor,  and  a  worthy  man,  whofe  name  it  - 
ever  fince retained*  It  was  opened  in  1763,  and  incojporatcd  b^ 
aft  o£  the  general  court,  in  1782.  By  the  a£l  the  number  of  t^ 
tees  it  not  to  exceed  fifteen,  who  are  to  manage  the  funds  for:: 
fupport  of  the  inflru^tors.  This  academy  h  at  prefent  in  a  flouriih^ 
itatc. 

rniLLIPS   ACADEMY. 

This  inflitution,  fituated  in  Andover,  was  founded  and  handfor^ 
endowed,  April  21,  1778,  by  the  Honourable  Samuel  Phil 
Efq.  of  Andover,  in  the  county  of  Effex,  and  Commonwealth  of  P^ 
fachufetts,  lately  deceafed,  and  his  brother,  the  Honourable  Jl 
Phillips,  L,  L.  D.  of  Exeter,  in  the  State  of  New-Hampfhire.  - 
was  incorporated  October  4,  1786.  It  is  under  the  dire6tio«tf 
thirteen  truflees  of  re^<^able  chara6ters,  and  the  immediate  ca^ 
ii  principal,  who  i^'bne  of  the  truflees  ex  officio^  an  afliflant,  a«-« 

I  wrS 


'> 


OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  I'J^ 

ng  roafter.    They  are  accommodated  with  a  large  and  elegant 
iing,  crefted  at  the  expenfe  of  the  founders,  and  their  brother. 
Honourable  William  Phillips,  Efq.  ofBofton.    It  is  iituatedona 
ghtful  eminence,  nenr  the  manfion  houfe  of  the  Honourable  Sa- 
el  Phillips,  Efq.  its  diftinguiflied  patron,  and  foa  of  the  deceafed 
inder— is  encompaffed  with  a  falubrious  air,  and  commands  an 
tenfive  profpe6l.     The  lower  flory  contains  a  large  fchool-roomi 
ith  ample  accommodations  for  an  hundred  ftudents,  and  two  other 
partments  for  a  librar}',  and  other  purpofes  :  the  upper  ftory  con» 
ills  of  a  fpacious  hall,  fixty-four  feet  in  length,'  and  thirty-three  feet 
in  breadth,  defigncd  for  exhibitions  and  other  public  occa&ohs. 
The  defign  of  this  foundation,  according  to  its  conilitution,  is^ 
The  promotion  of  true  piety  and  virtue,  the  inftru^tion  of  youth 
in  the  tnglifli,  Latin,  and  Greek  languages ;  together  with  writing, 
3ntlimetic,  pria6tical  geometry,  mufic  and  oratory,  logic  and  geo- 
graphy •  and  fuch  other  of  the  liberal  arts  and  fciences,   or  lan- 
^3ges,  as  opportunity  and  ability  may  hereafter  admit,   and  the 
^^ftees  fliall  direft." 

LEICESTER  ACADEMY. 

This  academy,  in  the  townfhip  of  Leicefter,  and  county  of  Wor- 
cefter,  \vas  incorporated  in  1784.  For  the  encouragement  of  this 
^^itution,  Ebenezer  Crafts  and  Jacob  Davis,  Efquires,  gcneroufly 
S^^c  a  large  and  commodious  manfion  houfe,  lands  and  appurte* 
^^^^^s,  inLcicefter. 

In  WHliamftowp,  in  Berkfliire  county,  is  another  academy.   Col. 

^  Phraini  Williams  lajd  the  foundation  of  it  by  a  handfome  donation 

*3nd8.    in  1 790,  partly  by  lottery,  and  partly  by  the  liberal  do- 

^^ori  of  gentlemen  in  the  town,  a  brick  edifice  was  ercdted,  eighty- 

^^  feet  by  forty-two,  and  four  ftories  high,  containing  Wrcnty -four 

/^^His  for  ftudents,  a  large  fchool-room,  a  dining-hall,  and  a  room 

^^  public  fpeaking.    It  has  a  preceptor,  an  uiher,  and  a  matter  of 

^^  £ngli(h  fchool.    Thenumber  of  ftudents  is  at  prefent  betwcch 

^^  and  fixty,  befides  the  fcholars  of  the  free  fchool*    The  laa- 

^3ges  and  fciences  ufually  taught  in  the  American  colleges  art 

^^ght  here.    Board,  tuition,  and  other  cxpenfes  of  education  arc 

^^t^  low ;   and  from  its  fituation,  and  other  circumftances,   it, is 

.  ^^7»  1"  ^  ^^^  tiinC}  ^o  become  an  inftitution  of  confiderable  ut» 

*^  and  importance. 

An  academy  at  Taunton  was  incorporated  in  z  792. 

Aaa  ,  i 


l8o  GENERAL.   DESCRIPTION 

At  Hingham  is  a  wclKcndowcd  fchool,  which,  in  honour  of  its 
principal  cionor  and  founder,  is  called  Derby  School. 

Thefe  academies  are  defigned  to  difTeminate  virtue  and  true  piety, 
to  promote  the  education  of  youth  in  the  Englifh,  Latin,  Greek,  and 
French  languages,  in  writing,  arithmetic,  oratory,  geography, 
pradical  geometry,  logic,  philofophy,  and  fuch  other  of  the  liberal 
arts  and  iciences,  or  languages,  as  may  be  thought  expedient. 

HARVARD   UNlVERSITr.     . 

This  inftitution  takes  its  date  from  the  year  1638.  Two  yean 
before,  the  general  court  gave  fouf  hundred  pounds  for  thefuppon 
of  a  public  fchool  at  Newtown,  which  has  lincc  been  called  Cam 
bridge.  This  year  (1638)  the  Rev.  Mr.  John  Harvard,  a  worth; 
minifter  refiding  in  Charleflon,  died,  and  left  a  donation  of  feve 
hundred  and  feventy-nine  pounds,  for  the  ufe  of  the  foreraentione 
public  fchool.  In  honour  to  the  memory  of  fo  liberal  a  henefafto 
the  general  court,  the  fame  year,  ordered  that  the  fchool  fhould  tal 
the  name  of  Harvard  College. 

In  1642,  the  cjollege  was  put  upon  a  more  refpe£tablc  footing,  ac 
the  governor,  <lcputy  governor,  apd  raagiftrates,  and  the  roiniftc 
of  the  fix  next  adjacent  towntf,  with.fhe  prefident,  we^eercftedia 
a  corporation  for. the.  ordering  a^d  managing  i;s  concerns  It  1 
ceived  its  firft  charter  in  3650. 

•  Cansbxtdge,.  io  which  the  univerfity  is  ^tu^ed^  i^  a  pleasant  :^ 
lage,  four  miles  weilward  froi?)  Boflon,'.  containing  a  number  of  gc 
tlcmen's  feats,  which  are  neat  and  well-built.  The  uniYerfity  cc 
-fifts  of  four  elegant  brick  ^difice§,  handfomely  enclofed. .  They  ft» 
on  a  beautful  green,  which  fpre^dg  to  the  nortb*weft}  and  exhibl'^ 
plcafing  view. 

The  names  of  the  feveral  buildiiigs  arq.  Harvard  Hall,  MaflacS 
fetts  Hall,  Hollis  Hail  and  Holden  Chapel.  Harvard  Hall  is  divic 
into  fix  apartments ;  one  of  which  is  appropriated  for  the  libr^ 
one  for  the  mufeum,  two  for  the  philofophical  apparatus  ;  on^ 
uff  d  for  a  chapel,  and  the  other  for  a  dining  hall.  The  library, 
1 79 1,  confiAed  of  upwards  of  thirteen  thoufand  volumes ;  an< 
•continually  increafing  from  the  intereft  of  permanent  funds, 
well  as  from  cafual  benefailions.  The  philofophical  apparatus  ^ 
longing  to  this  univerfity,  coft  between  one  thoufand  faur  hund^< 
4xA  one  thoufand  five  hundred  pounds  flerling,  and  is  the  z^ 
elegant  and  complete  of  any  in  America. 

Agrec^l 


OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  l8l 

Agreeable  to  the  prcfcnt  conftitution  of  Maflachufetts,  his  Excel- 

icv  the  Governor,  Lieutenant-gONxrnor,  the  Council  and  Senate, 

£  Prcfident  of  the  univcrfity,  and  the  miniflers  of  the  congrcga- 

onal  churches  in  the  towns  of  Bofton,  CharJcflon,  Cambridge,  \Va- 

ertown,  Roxbuiy,  and  Dorchefter,  are,  ex  ojuiisj  overfcers  of  the 

Jfliverfity. 

The  corporation  is  a  diftin^Sl  body,  confifting  of  feven  members,  in 
whom  is  vefted  the  property  of  the  uuiverfity. 

Harvard  univerfity  has  a  Prefidcnt,  Emeritus  Profeflbr  of  Divi- 
nity—Hollilian  ProfefTor  of  Divinity — Hancock  Pioicflbr  of  Hebrew 
and  other  Oriental  languages — Hollis  ProfefTor  of  Mathematics  and 
Natural  Philofophy — Herfey  ProfefTor  of  Anatomy  and  Surgery— 
Hcrfey  Profefibr  of  the  theory  and  praftice  of  Phyfic — ^Erving  Pro- 
ffflbr  of  Chymiflry  and  Materia  Medica — four  tutors,  who  teach 
the  Greek  and  Latin  languages,  logic,  metaphyfics,  and  ethics, 
geography,  and  the  elements  of  geon>etry,  natural  philofophy,  aflro>- 
ooniy,  andhiflory;  and  a  preceptor  of  the  French  language. 

This  univcrfity,    as  to  its  library,   philofophical  apparatus  and 

pn)feiTorfhips,  is  at  prefent  the  firfl  literary  inflitution  on  the  Ameri- 

^3a  continent.  Since  its  firfl  eflablifhment,  upwards  of  three  thoufand 

^hrce  hundred  iludents  have  received  honorary  degrees  from  its  fuc- 

^cffive  officers ;  about  one  third  of  whom  have  been  ordained  to  the 

^ork  of  the  gofpel  miniflry.     It  has  generally  from  one  hundred  and 

f^'^rty  to  one  hundred  and  fixty  iludents. 

This  univerfity  is  liberally  endowed,  and  is  frequently  receiving 
donations  for  the  eftabliihment  of  new  profefTorihips. "  Formerly 
^ere  was  an  annual  grant  made  by  the  legidature  to  the  prefident 
sincl  profefTors,  of  from  four  to  five  hundred  pounds,  which  for 
feyeral  years  pafl  has  been  difcontinued. 

REVENUE   AND    TAXE^. 

X*be  principal  fources  of  revenue  are  land  and  poll  taxes,   and 
.'^e    fjjes  of  new  lands.      Taxes  are  levied  on  all  males  betweer 
"^^^cn  and  fifty,  except  fuch  as  arc  exempted  by  law — alfo  on  th 
'^^^^ber  of  acres  of  improved  and  unimproved  land— on  dwell in| 
^^fcs  and  bams,    warehoufes,   flores,  &c.    Thefe  are  all  value 

^^  upon  this  valuation  taxes  are  laid,  fo  Hiany  pounds  for  eye 

^*^^  thou&pd  ppund$« 

CONS 


iSz.  GENPRAL    DESCRIPTION 


CONSTITUTION. 

The  cooftitution  agreed  upon  by  the  delegates  of  the  people  of  t 
StaXe  of  MaiTichufetts  Bay,  in  convention,  begun  and  held  at  Ca  k: 
bridge,  on  the  firft  of  September,  1779,  and  continued  by  adjouc" 
menu  to^  the  fecond.  of  March,  1780, 

FREAMBLB. 

The  cx^d  of  the  inftitution,  maintenance  and  admintflration  of  g^ 
ncrnnienr,  i*  to  fecure  the  exigence  of  the  body  politic,  to  protc<! 
ir»  and  tofurnifli  the  individuals  whp  compofe  it  with  the  power  0; 
enjoying,  in  fafety  and  tranquillity,  their  natural  rights  and  the 
blcffing^of  life ;  and  whenever  thefe  great  objeds  are  not  attained,  the 
pcaple  have  a  right  to  alter  the  government,  and  to  take  mcafurci 
ncccITary  for  their  fafety,  prbfperity  and  happinefs. 

The  body  politic  is  formed  by  a  voluntary  aflbciation  of  in^iri 
^uals ;  it  is  a  focial  compafl,  by  which  the  whole  people  coveiwnt 
iskb  each  citizen,  and  each  citizen  with  the  whole  people,  that  a! 
pxa^  be  governed  by  certain  laws  for  the  common  good.  It  is  th* 
inty  cxf  the  people,  therefore,  in  framing  a  conftitution  of  govern 
snent,  id  provide  'for  an  equita'ble  mode  of  making  laws,  as  well  a 
for  an  impartial  ihtenpretation  and  a  faithful  execution  of  them,  tha 
every  man  may  at  all  times  find  his  fecurlty  in  them. 

We^  therefore,  the.  people  ofMaflachufetts,  acknowledging  wit! 
grateful  hearts  tl^e  goodnefs  of  tlje  Great  Legiflature  of  the  univeife 
in  affording  ui,  in  the  cpurfe  of  Jiis  providence,  an  opportunitj 
iklibcrately  ^nd  peaceably,  without  fraud,  violence  or  furprize,  c 
entering  into  an  X)riginal,  explicit;  and  folemn  conipact  with  eac 
<rther;  and  of  forming  a  new  conftitution  of  civil  government  fc 
ourfelvesand  pofterity,;  and  devoutly  imploring  hi§  diredlion  in  1 
jmerefting  a  deljgn,  DO  agree  upon,  ordain  and  eftablifli  the  fo 

lowing   I>£.CLARATION    OF.RlGHTS,     ^^ND    FrAME    OF    GoVER^ 
MENT,     as    the     CQNSmUTION     OF    THE    -COMMONWEALTH    C 

Massachusetts* 

declaration  of  rights. 

I.  All  men  are  born  free  and  eqiial,  and  have  certain  natural,  c 
fential  and  unalienable  rights  j  among  which  may  be  reckoned  tC 
right  of  enjaying  and  defending  their  lives  and  libcrJiies  j  that  of  a 

quirin 


i 


OF    MASSACrtUSfifTS.  -tSj 

firing,  pdflefflng  arid  prote^ing  property ;  in  fine,  that  of  fttking 
aad  obtaining  their  fafety  and  happinefa. 

n.  It  is  the  right  as  well  as  the  duly  of  all  men  in  focicty,  ptiblidy^ 
and  at  ftated  fcafons,  to  worfliip  the  Supreme  Beingj  the  Gi-eat'Cnii- 
tor  and  Prelerver  of  the  univerfc*  And  no  fubjeA  fhall  be  hutt, 
moltfftcd,  or  reftrained  in  his  perfon,  liberty,  or  eftate,  for  wdr- 
fliipping  God  in  the  manner  and  feafon  rood  agreeable  to  the  dilates 
of  his  own  confciencc,  or  for  his  religious  profcfSon  or  fentinaentSy 
provided  he  doth  not  difturb  the  public  peace,  or  obftroft  others  in 
their  religious  worfliip. 

III.  As  the  happinefs  of  a  people,  and  the  good  order  and  prefer- 
vation  of  civil  government,  eflentially  depend  .upon  piety,  religioa, 
and  morality ;  and  as  thefe  cannot  be  generally  difFufed  through  a 
community,  but  by  the  inditution  of  the  public  worfliip  of  Gord,  and 
of  public  inftru6tion8  in  piety,  religion,  and  morality;  therefore^ 
to  promote  their  happinefs,  and  to  fecure  the  good  order  and  pre- 
fen'ation  of  their  government,  the  people  of  this  Commonwealth  have 
a  right  to  inveft  their  legiflature  with  power  to  authorife  and  require, 
*nd  the  legiflature  fliall,  from  time  to  time,  authorife  and  require 
the  feveral  towns,  pariflies,  prccin£ts,  and  other  bodies  politic,  or 
J'eligious  focieties,  to  make  fuitable  provifion,  at  their  own  expcnfc, 
*<^r  the  inftitution  of  the  public  worfliip  of  God,  and  for  the  fuppbrt 
^^d  maintenance  of  public  Proteftant  teachers  of  piety,  religion,  and 
'Morality,  in  all  cafes  where  fuch  provifion  fliall  not  be  made  volun- 
^rily. 

And  the  people  of  this  Commonwealth  have  alfo  t  right  tO,  and  do 

■ 

'riveft  their  legiflature  with  authority  to  enjoin  upon  all  the  fubje&,. 
8n  attendance  upon  the  inftru£lions  of  the  public  teachers  as  afore- 
feid,  at  ftated  times  and  feafons,  if  there  be  any  on  whofe  inftrudiions 
^«y  can  confcientioufly  and  conveniently  attend* 

Provided  notvvithflanding,  that  the  feveral  towns,  pariflics,  jirc- 
^^ridts,  and  other  bodies  politic,  or  religious  focieties,  fball,  at  all 
^irries,  have  the  exclufive  right  of  electing  their  public  teachers,  and 
^^  contrafting  with  them  for  their  fupport  and  maintenance. 

And  all  monies  paid  by  the  fubje<5l  to  the  fupport  of  public  wor- 

^^P,  and  of  the  public  teachers  aforefaid,  fliall,  if  he  require  it,  be 

^^iformly  applied  to  the  fupport  of  the  public  teacher  or  teachers  of 

^®    own  religious  fe6l  or  denomination,   provided  there  be  any  on 

^*^fc  inftrudlions  he  attends,  othcnvife  it  may  be  paid  towards  the 

fupport 


1^4  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

fu]^rt  of  the  teacher  or  teachers  of  the  parifli  or  prccinft  in  vfhich 
the  faid  monies  are  raifed. 
^.  And  every  denomination  of  Chriilians  demeaning  thcmfelves 
peaceably,  and  as  good  fubjedts  of  the  Commonwealth,  (hall  be 
equally  under  the  protection  of  the  law :  and  no  fubordifnation 
of  any  one  fc^  or  denomination  to  another  fliall  ever  be  eftablilhed 
by  law4 

IV.  The  people  of  this  Commonwealth  have  the  fole  and  exclufivc 
right  of  governing  themfelves  as  a  free,  fovereign,  and  independent 
State  ;  and  do,  and  for  ever  hereafter  (liall,  exercife  and  enjoy  every 
power,  jurifdi6tion,  and  right,  which  is  not,  or  may  not  hereafter  be 
by  them  exprefsly  delegated  to  the  United  States  of  America,  in 
Congrefs  aflembled. 

V.  All  power  refiding  originally  in  the  people,  and  being  de 
rived  fro(n  them,  the  f^veral  magiHrates  and  officers  of  goveri 
ment,  veiled  with  authority,  whether  legiflative,  executive,  or  jud 
cial,  are  their  fubftitutes  and  agents,  and  are  at  all  times  accountaV 
to  them.  • 

VI.  No  man,  or  corporation,  or  aflbciation  of  men,  have  any  ot- 
title  to  obtain  advantages,  or  particular  and  cxclulive  privileg 
diftinCl  from  thofe  of  the  community,  than  what  arifes  from  ' 
confideration  of  fervices  rendered  to  the  public ;  and  this  title  being 
nature  neither  hereditary  nor  tranfmiffiblc  to  children,  or  defcendaa 
or  relations  by  blood,  the  idea  of  a  man  born  a  magiftrate,  lawgiu 
or  judge,  is  abfurd  and  unnatural. 

VII.  Government  is  inftituted  for  the  common  good;    for 
protedtion,   fafety,   profperity,  and  happinefs  of  the  people,    s 
not  for  the  profit,  honour,  or  private  intereft  of  any  one  man, 
mily,  or  clafs  of  men :  therefore,  the  people  alorie  have  an  incon- 
table,  unalienable,  and  indefeafible  right  to  inftitute  government; 
to  reform,  alter,  or  totally  change  the  fame,  when  their  proted  ' 
fafety,  profperity,  and  happinefs  require  it. 

VIII.  In  order  to  prevent  thofe  who  are  vefted  with  authority  Fi 
becoming  oppreilbrs,  the  people  have  a  right,  at  fuch  periods, 
in  fuch  manner  as  they  Ihall  cflabhfli  by  their  frame  of  govc 
ment,  to  caufe  their  public  officers  to  return  to  private  hfe,  '* 
to  fill  up  vacant  places  by  certain  aiid  regular  ele£lions  and  appo: 
ments*  « 

IX.  All  ele£lions  ought  to  be  (vcCy  and  aU  the  inhabitants  of  t 
Commonwealth    having  fuch  qualiHcatlons  a«  they  fhall  cftabliit 


,  OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  185 

their  frame  of  government,  have  an  equal  right  to  eled  ofHcerSi  and 
to  be  ele^ed  for  public  employments. 

X.  Each  individual  of  the  fociety  has  a  right  'to  be  protected  by  it, 
m  the  enjoyment  of  his  life,  liberty,  and  property,  according  to  (land- 
ing laws.    He  is  obliged,  confequently,  to  contribute  his  (liare  to 
the  expenfe  of  this  protedtion ;  to  give  his  perfonal  fervice,  or  an 
equivalent,  wjien  neceflary :   but  no  part  of  the  property  of  any 
individual  can,  with  juflice,  be  taken  from  him,*  or  applied  to  public 
ufes,  without  his  own  confent  or  that  of  the  reprefentative  body  of 
the  people:  in  fine,  the  people  of  this  Commonwealth  are  not  con- 
troulable  by  any  other,  laws  thatx  thofe  to  which  their  conftitutional 
reprefentative  body  have  given  their  confent.     And  whenever  the 
public  exigencies  require  that  the  property  of  any  individual  fhould 
^  appropriated  to  public  ufes,  he  fliall  receive  a  reafonable  compen- 
fation  therefor. 

XI.  Every  fubjedt  of  the  Commonwealth  ought  to  find  a  certain 
remedy,  by  having  recourfe  to  the  Jaws  for  all  injuries  or  wrongs 
^'hich  he  may  receive  in  his  perfon,  property,  or  charadter.  He 
°"ght  to  obtain  right  and  juflice  freely,  and  without  being  obliged  to 
?^rchafe  it,  completely  and  without  any  denial,  promptly  and  with- 
^^^  delay,  conformably  to  the  laws. 
•^U.  No  fubjedt  fhall  be  held  to  anfwer  for  any  crime  or  ofFence, 
'^til  the  fame  is  fully  and  plainly,  fubftantially  and  formally,  defcribed 
^  ^im  ;  or  be  compelled  to  accufe,  or  furniili  evidence  againft  him- 
"*f*  And  every  fubjedt  fhall  have  a  right  to  produce  all  proofs  that 
^ay  be  favourable  to  him ;  to  meet  the  witnefTes  agauift  him  face  to 
*ce,  and  to  be  fully  heard  in  his  defence  by  himfelf  or  his  coun- 
*U  at  his  ele(5lion.  And  no  fubjedt  fliall  be  arrefled,  imprifoned, 
*^fpoiled,  or  deprived  of  his  property,  immunities,  or  privileges,  put 
^^t  of  the  protection  of  the  law,  exiled,  or  deprived  of  his  life,  li- 
^rty,  or  eftate,  but  by  the  judgment  of  his  peers,  or  tliQ  law  of  the 
land. 

And  the  legiflature  fliall  not  make  any  law  that  fliall  fubjeft  any  per- 
fon to  a  capital  or  infamous  punifhment,  excepting  for  the  goycrn- 
Joeot  of  the  army  and  navy,  without  trial  by  jury. 

XlU.  In  criminal  profecutions,  the  verification  of  fads  in  the  vici* 
^*ty  where  they  happen,  is  one  of  the  greatefk  fecurities  of  the  life, 
iberty^  and  property  of  the  citizen. 

^iV.  Every  fubjc£t  Lis  a  right  to  be  fecure  from  all  unrcafonable 

^^bis,  a^idfcizures  of  his  perfon,  his  houfes,  hij  papers,  and  all  his 

^oi.  Iff  B  b  pof- 


l86  GEKeRAL    t)ESCRlfTION 

poflleffions.  All  warrants,  therefore,  arc  contraiy  to  this  ri^t,  if 
the  caufe  or  foundation  of  them  be  not  prevtoufly  fupported  by  oath 
or  affirmatioh  ;  and  if  the  order  in  a  warrant  to  a  civil  officer,  to 
make  fearch  in  ^1  fufpe6ted  pla&s,  or  to  arreft  one  or  more  faf< 
pe6ted  perfons,  or  to  fcize  their  property,  be  not  accompanied  with 
a  fpecial  dcfignation  of  the  pcrfons  or  obje6ts  of  fearch,  arreft,  orfei- 
2ure ;  and  no  warmnt  ought  to  be  ifTued,  but  in  cafes  and  with  the 
formalities  prefcribed  by  the  laws. 

XV.  In  all  controverfies  concerning  property,  and  in  all  fuits  be- 
tween two  or  more  pcrfons,  except  in  cafes  in  which  it  has  heretofore 
been  otherways  ufed  and  pra^lifed,  the  parties  have  a  right  to  a  trial 
by  a  jury ;  and  this  method  of  procedure  iliall  be  held  facred,  un- 
lefs,  in  caufes  arifing  on  the  higli  feas,  and  fuch  as  relate  to  ma- 
riners wages,    the  Icgiflalure  (hall  hereafter  find  it  neceflary  to 
alter  it. 

XVI.  The  liberty  of  the  prefs  is  cflential  to  the  fecurity  of  freedonC 
in  a  State ;  it  ought  hot,  therefore,  to  be  reftrained  in  this  Coir»- 
mon  wealth. 

XVII.  The  people  have  a  right  to  keep  and  to  bear  arms  for  th* 
common  defence.  And  as  in  time  of  peace  armies  are  dangerous  k:^ 
liberty,  they  ought  not  to  be  maintained  without  the  confeiit  of  tkn 
Ifgiflature  ;  and  the  military  power  Ihall  always  be  held  in  exa<5t  fut 
ordination  to  the  civil  authority,  and  be  governed  by  it. 

XVIII.  A  frequent  recinrence  to  the  fundamental  principles  of  tlr" 
conftitution,  and  a  coitftant  adherence  to  thofe  of  piety,  juftice,  mod.  ^ 
ration,  temperance,  induftry,  and  frugality,  are  abfolutely  neceflaJ^ 
to  preferve  the  advantages  of  liberty,  and  to  maintain  a  free  govcir^ 
meiit.  The  people  ought,  confequently,  to  have  a  particular  att^  « 
tion  to  all  thofe  principles  in  the  choice  of  their  officers  and  rep^'^ 
fentatives :  and  they  have  a  right  to  require  of  their  lawgivers  ax^ 
magiftrates  an  exa6t  and  conftant  obfervance  of  them,  in  the  fornca  - 
tion  and  execution  of  all  laws  necelfary  for  the  good  adminiflration  ^ 
the  Commonwealth. 

XIX*  The  people  have  a  right,  in  an  orderly  and  peaceable  mann  ^ 
to  afiemble  to  confult  upon  the  common  good  ;  give  inftru^tions 
their  reprefeotatives,  and  to  requeft  of  the  legiflative  body,  by  t^^ 
way  of  addrefTes,  petitions  or  remonftrances,  redrefs  of  the  wroc^  - 
done  them,  and  of  the  grievances  they  fufFer.  — 

XX.  The  power  of  fufpending  the  laws,  or  the  execution  oftJ 
laws,  ou^ht  never  to  be  cxercifed  but  by  the  legiflature,  or  by  ^^ 

4  thor^ 


OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  I&7 

ritj  derived  from  it,  to  be  exercifed  in  fuch  particular  cafes  anl/ 
Ac  Icgiflature  fhall  exprefsly  provide  for, 

XXI.  The  freedom  of  deliberation,  ^echy  and  debate,  in  either 

3ufe  of  the  Legiflature,  is  fo  eifentiai  to  the  rights  of  the  peo« 

C}  that  it  cannot  be  the  foundation  of  any  accufation  or  pro- 

xution,  adlion  or  complaint^  in  any  other  court  or  place  whatfo- 

:yer. 

XXII.  The  legiflature  ought  frequently  to  aflemblc  for  the  re* 
<irefs  of  grievances,  for  corredting,  ilrengthening,  and  confirming 
the  laws,  and  for  making  new  laws,  as  tiie  common  good  may  re* 
^uire. 

^XIII.  No  fubfidy,   charge,   tax,  iropofi,   or  duties,   ought  to 

^  cflabliQied,  fixed,  laid,  or  levied,  under  any  pretext  whatfoevct, 

'Without  the  confent  of  the  people,  or  their  reppefentatives  in  the 

%'flature. 

-^XlV.  Laws  made  to  puniih  for  a^iions  done  bef<^e  the  exigence 

^'  fuch  laws,   and  which  have  not  been  declared  crireies  by  pre- 

^^edirig  law?,    are  unjuft,  oppreiSve,  and  inconfifbnt  with  the  fiinr 

danieiital  principles  of  a  free  government. 

^^V.  No  fubje£i  ought,  in  any  cade,  or  in  any  tiQie,  to  be  4c* 
clar^^  guilty  of  treafon  or  felony  by  the  legiflature* 

^^VI.  No  magiflrate  or  court  of  law  fiiall  dea>and  exceffive 
^^*^  or  fureties,  impofe  exceiiive  fineS|  or  {nflidt  cruel  or  imufual  pu« 
P^^^rxients. 

^XVII.  In  time  of  peace,  no  fol4ier  oi|ght  to  be  quartered  in  ai^ 
*^^^fe  without  the  confent  of  the  owner ;  and  in  time  of  war,  fuoh 
^^^rters  ought  not  to  be  made  but  by  the  civil  magl&ratet  ^^  ^  niaiv* 
'^^i'  ordained  by  the  legiflature. 

3(XVIII.  No  perfon  can  in  any  cafe  be  fubje^ed  to  law  mattial, 
^  to  any  penalties  or  pains  by  virtue  of  that  hWf  except  thofe  em- 
Ployed  in  the  army  or  navy,  and  except  the  militia  in  a^^tual  fcrvice, 
but  by  ^uthorit^  of  the  legiflature. 

^XIX.  It  is  efTential  to  the  prefervation  of  the  rights  of  every  ii| 
**vidual,  his  life,  liberty,  property,  and  charaAer,  thatUierebow 
I'^partial  interpretation  of  the  law|,  and  adminiflration  of  jufttcet    - 
*•  the  right  of  every  citizen  to  be  tried  by  judges  as  free,  imparti? 
^^d  independent,  as  the  lot  of  humanity  will  admit.    It  is  tberefe 
*^^  only  the  befl  policy,  but  for  rtwi  fecurity  of  this  rights  of  t 
^^^ple,  and  of  every  citizen,  that  th^  judges  of  the  iupreme  jud* 
^*^*^tt  fbould  bold  their  offi^^s  as  long  as  thpy  behave  themfelves  w 

Bb  « 


l88  GENERAL   DESCRI1?TI0K 

and  that  they  (hould  hare  honourable  falaries,  afcertained  and  efis^^ 
lifbed  by  (landing  laws. 

XXX.  In  the  government  of  this  Commonwealth,  the  legiflatiFC 
department  (hall  never  exercife  the  executive  and  judicial  powers^  or 
either  of  them  ;  the  executive  (liall  never  exercife  the  legiflative  and 
judicial  powers,  or  either  of  them  ;  the  judicial  (hall  never  exercife 
the  legiflative  and  executive  powers,  or  either  of  them,  to  the  end 
it  may  be  a  government  of  laws,  and  not  of  men. 


THE  GENERAL   COURT. 


I.  The  department  of  legiflation  fliall  be  formed  by  two  branches 
aSENATE,  and  House  OF  Representatives,  each  of  which  fhaU 
have  a  negative  on  the  other. 

The  legiflative 'body  (hall  afTemblc  every  year  on  the  lad  Wednef- 
day  in  May,  and  at  fuch  other  times  as  they  fliall  judge  neceflfary;  an^ 
{ball  diflblve  and  be  di(rolved  on  the  day  next  preceding  the  faid  la  »^ 
Wednefday  in  May,  and  (hall  be  ililed  The  General  Court  o  ^ 
Massachusetts. 

II.  No  bill  or  refolve  of  the  Senate  or  Houfe  of  Reprefentatives  fli  ^*' 
become  a  law,  and  have  force  as  fuch,  until  it  fliall  have  been  !»-  ^' 
before  the  governor  for  his  revifal ;  and  if  he,  upon  fuch  revifio  * 
Approve  therfof,  he  fliall  (ignify  his  approbation  by  figning  the  fanr^  c 

•  But  if  he  have  apy  objedtinn  to  the  paffing  of  fuch  bill  or  refolve,    ^< 

fliall  return  the  fame,  together  with  his  objections  thereto,  in  writir»if 

to  the  Senate  or  Houfe  of  Reprefentatives,  in  which  foever  the  fax^c^^ 

fliall  have  originated ;   who  fiiail  enter  the  objections  fent  dowii  t>> 

the  governor  at  large  pn  their  records,  and  proceed  to  re-confid^J 

the  faid  bill  or  refolve.     But  if  after  (iich  re-confideration,  two-thir<l' 

pf  the  faid  Senate  or  Houfe  of  Reprefentatives  fliall,  notwithftandii^l 

the  faid  objections,  agree  to  pafs  the  fame,  it  (hall,  together  with  tli< 

obje^ions,  be  fent  to  the  other  branch  of  the  legiflature,   wher^    ^ 

fliall  alfo  be  re-confidered,  and  if  approved  by  two-thirds  of  the  merti 

bcrs  prefent,   it  (hall  have  the  force  of  a  law.      But  in  all  fu^ 

cafes,  the  votes  of  both  Houfes  (h^ll  be  determined  by  yeas  ^^ 

nays ;  and  the  names  of  the  perfons  voting  for  or  again(t  the  i^^ 

bill  or  refolve,  (hall  be  entered  upon  the  public  records  of  the  Co^ 

-monwealth. 

And  in  order  to  prevent  unnccefTary  delays,  if  any  bill  or  rcfo^** 

■  fliall  net  be   returned   by  the  governor  within  five  days  after 

01^^ 


.  OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  iS^ 

ftall  have  been  prefented,    the  fame  fliall  have  the  force  of  21 
Jaw. . 

HI.  The  general  court  Ihall  for  ever  have  full  power  and  autho- 
rity  to  ercft  and  conflitute  judicatories  and  courts  of  record,  or  other 
<^ourts,  to  be  held  in  the  name  of  the  Commonwealth,    for  the 
^^aring,  trying,  and  detertnining  all  manner  of  crimes,   offences, 
pleas,  procefles^  plaints,  anions,  matters,  caufes,  and  things  what- 
soever,  arifing  or  happening  within  the  Commonwealth,  or  be- 
tween or  concerning  perfons  inhabiting,   or  refiding,  or  brought 
within  the  fame,  whether  the  fame  be  criminal  or  civil,  or  whether  the 
6id  crimes  be  capital  or  not  capital,  and  whether  the  faid  pleas  be 
real,  perfonal,  or  mixed ;  and  for  the  awarding  and  making  out  of 
execution  thereupon  ;    to  which  courts  and  judicatories  are  hereby 
given  and  granted  full  power  and  authority  from  tiriae  to  time  to  ad- 
miiiifter  oaths  or  affirmations,  for  the  better  difcovery  of  truth  in  any 
niatter  in  controverfy  or  depending  before  them. 

IV.  And  furthef,  full  power  and  authority  are  hereby  given  and 
granted  to  the  faid  General  Court  from  time  to  time  to  make,  ordain, 
and  eftablifti  all  manner  of  wholefome  and  reafonabte  orders,  laws, 
ftatutes  and  ordinances,  direftions  and  inftrudtions,  either  with  pc- 
^ialties  or  without,  fo  as  the  fame  be  not  repugnant  or  contrary  to 
^^is  conftitution,  as  they  fliall  judge  to  be  for  the  good  and  welfareof 
^^'s  Commonwealth,  and  foi*"  the  government  and  ordering  thcFeof; 
^"d  of  the  fubjefts  of  the  fame,  and  for  the  neceflary  fupport  and 
defence  of  the  government  thereof;    and  to  name  and  fettle  an- 
"^lally,  or  provide  by  fixed  laws,  for  the  naming  and  fettling  all  civil 
.officers  within  the  faid  Commonwealth,  the  eledtion  and  conftitution 
^f  Mrhom  are  not  hereafter  in  this  form  of  government  otherwife  pro- 
vided for;  and  to  fct  forth  the  feveral  duties,  powers,  and  limits,  ' 
<^f  the  feveral  civil  and  military  bfficers  of  this  Commonwealth,  and 
^"^  forms  of  fuch  oaths  or  affirmations  as  fliall  be  refpedtively  admi- 
^^f^ered  unto  them  for  the  execution  of  their  feveral  offices  and  place's. 
^  3s  the  fanie  be  not  repugnant  or  contrary  to  this  conftitution ;  and 
^   impofe  and  levy  proportional  and  reafonable  afTeffinents,  rates, 
^^d  taxes,    upon  all  the  inhabitants  of,  and  perfons  refident,  and 
*^tcs  lying  within  the  faid  Commonwealth;  and  alfo  to  impofe  and 
^^    reafonable    duties  and    excifes  upon  any  produce,     goods, 
^t*€s,  merchandizes,  and  commodities    whatfoever,   brought  into, 
P^^uced,  manufadured,  or  being  within  the  fame,  to  be  iffued  and 
^*'J)ofed  of  by  warrant  under  the  hand  of  the  governor  of  this  Com- 

monwealtii 


190  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

snoDwealtb  for  the  time  be'mg,  with  the  advice  and  confent  of  di 
council,  for  the  public  fcrvicc,  in  the  ncccflary  defence  and  fuppi>i 
of  the  governnaent  of  the  (aid  Comoionwealth»  and  the  prote^ionai] 
prefervation  of  the  fubje£b  thereof^  according  to  fuch  a&i  as  are  o 
jball  be  in  force  within  the  fame. 

And  while  the.  public  charges  of  government,  or  any  part  thereof, 
ihall  be.aflefled  on  polls  and  eflates,  in  the  manner  that  has  hitbetto 
been  pra6^ifed;  in  order  that  fuch  aiTefTments  may  be  made  with 
equality,  there  (hall  be  a  valuation  of  eflates  within  the  Common- 
wealth taken  anew  once  in  every  ten  years  at  the  leaft,  and  as 
much  oftener  as  the  general  court  (hall  order. 

SENATE. 

I.  There  (liall  be  annually  elci^ed  by  the  freeholders  and  other  in- 
habitants of  this  Commonwealth,  qualified  as  in  this  conflitution  is  pro 
vided,  forty  perfons  to  be  counfellors  and  fenators  for  the  year  enfu 
ing  their  ele^ioti,  to  be  chofen  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  di(hi6^ 
into  which  the  Commonwealth  may  from  time  to  time  be  divided  b 
the  general  court  for  thatpurpofe.  And  the  general  court,  i 
affigning  the  numbers  to  be  elected  by  the  refpedtive  diftrifts,  (ha 
govern  them(clves  by  the  proportion  of  the  public  taxes  paid  by  tl 
faid  didridts,  and  timely  make  known  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  Con 
monwealth,  the  limits  of  each  diflridt,  and  the  number  of  counfello 
and  fenators  to  be  chofen  therein,  provided  that  the  number  of  fu^ 
di(lri6ls  (liall  be  never  lefs  than  thirteen,  and  that  no  diftrid  be 
large  as  to  entitle  the  fame  to  chufe  more  than  (ix  fenators. 

And  the  feveral  counties  in  this  Comnaonwealth  (hall,  until  c 
jgeneral  court  (hall  determine  it  nece(rary  to  alter  the  faid  diftri6 
be  didridts  for  the  choice  of  counfellors  and  fenators  (except  that  c 
counties  of  Dukes  county  and  Naatucket,  (liall  form  one  diftridt  i 
^hat  purpofe)  and  (ball  eled  the  following  number  for  counfello 
^nd  fenators^  viz. 


Suffolk  ••,••,,•••  6 

EfTex ,   •   •  6 

IVliddlefex    ••,«••  .^   •    $ 

Hampfhire .4 

^ymouth 3 

Barnft^e x 

P^iftoJ 3 


York 

Dukes  county  and  Nantucket 

Worcefter 

Cumberland      .    .    ,   «    .   • 

Lincoln 

Serkdiire 


]k 


OP    MA^SACMUSfiTTS.  igt 

n.  Tbe  ienate  (hall  be  the  firft  branch  of  the  legHlature;  and  tho 

fenators  fhail  be  chofen  in  the  following  manner,  viz.  there  fliall  be  a 

meeting  on  the  firft  Monday  in  April  annually,  for  ever,  of  the  inhabi- 

ftinfs  of  eath  town  in  the  feveral  counties  of  this  Commonwealth,  to 

be  called  by  the  feled  men,  and  warned  in  due  courfe  of  law,  at  lead 

fcven  days  before  the  firft  Monday  in  April,  for  the  purpofe  of  eled- 

ing  perfons  to  be  fenators  and  counfellors  :    and  at  fuch  meetings 

cveiy  male  inhabitant  of  twenty- one  years  of  age  and  upwards,  having 

a  freehold  eftate  within  the  Commonwealth  of  the  anmud  income  of 

three  pounds,  or  any  eftate  of  the  value  of  fixty  pounds,  (hall  have 

a  right  to  give  his  vote  for  the  fenators  for  the  diftri^t  of  which  he  is 

an  inhabitant.    And  to  remove  all  doubts  concerning  the  meaning  of 

the  word  ^  inhabitant,"  in  this  conftitution,  every  perfon  fhall  be 

confidered  as  an  inhabitant,  for  the  purpofe  of  ele6l:ing  and  being  ^ 

defted  into  any  office  or  place  within  this  State,  in  that  town,  diftrid, 

or  plantation,  where  he  dwelleth,  or  hath  his  home. 

The  feiedl  men  of  the  feveral  towns  fhall  prcfide  at  fuch  meetings 
impartiaUy,  and  (liall  receive  the  votes  of  all  the  inhabitants  of  fuch 
towns  prefent,  and  qualified  to  vote  for  fenators,  and  fhall  fort  and 
count  them  in  open  town  meeting,  and  ia  prefencc  of  the  town  clerk, 
who  fhall  make  a  fair  record,  in  prefence  of  the  feled  men,  and  in 
^pcn  town  meeting,  of  the  name  of  every  perfon  voted  for,  and  of 
^he  number  of  votes  againfl  his  name  ;  and  a  fair  copy  of  this  record 
ftall  be  attefled  by  the  fele£t  men  and  the  town  clerk,  and  fhall  be 
fealcd  up,  direAed  to  the  fecretary  of  the  Commonwealth  for  the 
^•mc  being,  with  a  fuperfcription  cxpreffing  the  purport  of  the  con- 
^fiits  thereof,  and  delivered  by  the  town  clerk  of  fuch  towns  to  the 
'oeriff  of  the  county  in  which  fuch  town  lies,  thirty  days  at  leafl  be- 
fore the  lafl  Wedncfday  in  May  annually  ;  or  it  fliall  be  delivered  into 
^  fecretary*s  office  feventeen  days  at  Icafl  before  the  faid  lafl  Wed- 
'*^Way  in  May ;  and  the  fheriff  of  each  county  fhall  deliver  all  fuch 
^^^rtiiicates  by  him  received  into  the  fecretary 's  office  feventeen  days 
^ore  the  faid  lafl  Wednefday  in  Mat. 

^d  the  inhabitants  of  plantations  unincorporated,  qualified  as  this 

*^^nftitution  provides,  who  are  or  fliall  be  impowered  or  required  to 

^*»cf8  tax#s  upon  themfclves  towards  the  fupport  of  government, 

*^^il  have  the  fame  privilege  of  voting  for  counfellors  and  fenators  in 

^^  plantations  where  they  refide,  as  town  inhabitants  have  in  their  re- 

P^£tive  towns ;  and  the  plantation  meetings  for  that  purpofe  fhall  be 

^^4  annually  on  the  fame  firfl  Monday  in  April,  at  fuch  place  in  the 

plartations 


tgZ  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

Plantations  refpe6tively  as  the  affeflbrs  thereof  (hall  d\rt& ;  vtikb  ' 
aifeflbrs  fliall  have  like  authority  for  notifying  the  electors,  collcdipi; 
and  returning  the  votes,  as  the  feledt  men  and  town  clerks  have  in  their 
feveral  towns  by  this  conftitution.  ^nd  all  other  perfons  living  io 
places  unincorporated  (qualified  as  aforefaid)  who  fhall  be  afleffedto 
the  fupport  of  government  by  the  aflefTors  of  an  adjacent  town,  fliall 
have  the  privilege  of  giving  in  their  votes  for  counfellors  andfenators, 
in  the  town  where  they  fliall  be  afTeired,  and  be  notified  of  the  place  of 
meeting  by  the  fele£l  men  of  the  town  where  they  fliall  be  afleffcd, 
for  that  purpofe  accordingly. 

III.  ^nd  that  there  may  be  a  due  convention  of  fenators  on  the  laft 
Wednefday  in  May,  annually,  the  governor  and  five  of  the  council 
for  the  time  being  fliall,  as  foon  as  may  be,  examine  the  returned 
copies  of  fuch  records  ;  and  fourteen  days  before  the  faid  day  he  fliall 
ifllie  his  fummons  to  fuch  perfons  as  fliall  appear  to  be  chofen  by  the 
mnjoriry  of  voters,  to  attend  on  that  day  aad  take  their  leats  accor- 
dingly; provided  neverthciefs,  that  for  the  firft  year  the  faid  returned 
copies  fliall  be  examined  by  the  prefident  and  five  of  the  council  of  the 
former  conftitution  of  government ;  and  the  faid  prefident  (hall,  ia 
like  manner,'  iflue  his  fummons  to  the  perfons  fo  elefted,  that  they 
may  take  their  feats  as  aforefaid. 

IV.  The  Senate  fliall  be  the  final  judge  of  the  eledions,  returns, 
and  qualifications  of  their  own  members,  as  pointed  out  in  the  conftitu- 
tion, and  fliall,  on  the  faid  laft  Wednefday  in  May  annually,  deter* 
mine  and  declare  who  are  elected  by  each  diftriift  ta  be  fenators  by  a 
majority  of  votes :  and  in  cafe  there  fliall  not  appear  to  be  the  fu^^ 
number  of  fenators  ele«fled  by  a  majority  of  votes  for  any  diftri^» 
the  deficiency  fliall  be  fupplied  in  the  following  manner,  viau     XI*® 
members  of  the  Houfe  of  Reprefentatives,  and  fuch  fenators  as  fU3.I* 
be  declared  eleded,  fliall  take  the  names  of  fuch  perfoos  as  fliall  ^^ 
found  to  have  the  higheft  number  of  votes  in  fuch  diftridl,  and  o^>^ 
ele6led,    amounting  to  twice  the  number  of  fenators  wanting^    ^^ 
there  be  fo  many  voted  for  ;    and  out  of  thefe  fliall  ele6l  by  bfdk>t    ^ 
number  of  fenators  fufficient  to  fill  up  the  vacancies  in  fuch  diftri^^ 
and  in  this  manner  all  fuch  vacancies  fliall  be  filled  in  every  diflri^ 
of  the  Commonwealth;  and  in  like  manner  all  vacancies  in  tt^^ 
Senate,    arifing    by  death,    removal  out  of  the  State,    or  otbc-^* 
wife,  fliall  be  fupplied  as  foon  as  may  be,  after  fuch  vacancies  fb^^ 
happen. 

V.ProvKk^ 


OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  I93 

Vi  Aovided  neverthelefs,  that  no  perfon  uiall  be  capable  of  being 
tiered  as  a  fenator,  who  is  not  feifed  in  hts  own  right  of  a  freehold 
v/ithiti  tbh  Commonwealth  of  the  value  of  three  hundred  ppunds  at 
ic^,  or.poifeired  of  perfonal  eflate  to  the  value  of  fix  hundred 
pouflds  at  lead,  or  of  both  to  the  amount  of  the  fame  fum,  and  who 
lias  not  been  an  inhabitant  of  tliis  Commonwealth  for  the  fpace  of 
five  years  immediately  preceding  his  eledion,  and  at  the  time  of 
bis  eledion  he  (hall  be  an  inhabitant  in  the  diftrid  for  which  he  fhall 
bechofen. 

VI.  The  Senate  fliall  have  power  to  adjourn  themfelvcs,  provided 
fuch  adjournments  do  not  exceed  two  days  at  a  time. 

VII.  The  Senate  fhall  chufe  its  own  pre^dent,  appoint  its  own  Of- 
ficers, and  determine  its  own  rules  of  proceedings; 

VIII.  The  Senate  ihall  be  a  court  with  full  authority  to  hear  and  de- 
termine all  impeachments  made  by  the  Houfe  of  Reprefentatives 
againil  any  officer  or  officers  of  the  Commonwealth,  for  mifcon- 
dud  and  mal-adminiUmtion  in  their  offices.  But  previous  to  the  trial 
of  every  impeachment,  the  members  of  the.  Senate  Ihall  refpe6tivdy 
be  fworn,  truly  and  impartially  to  try  and  determine  the  charge  in 
qucftion  according  to  evidence.  Their  judgment,  however,  fhall 
not  extend  further  than  to  removal  from  office,  and  difqualification  to 
hold  or  enjoy  any  place  or  honour,  truft,  or  profit,  under  this  Com- 
monwealth  :  but  the  party  fo  convidled  fliall  be,  neverthelefs,  liable 
to  indidment,  trial,  judgment,  and  punifhment,  according  to  the 
Jaws  of  the  land. 

IX.  Not  lefs  than  fixteen  members  of  the  Senate  (hall  conftitute 
'  quorum  for  doing  bufinefs. 

H0US&  OF   REPRESENTATIVES. 

^*  There  fhall  be  in  the  legiflature  of  this  Commonwealth  a  repre- 
'^^^tion  of  the  people  annually  elected,  and  founded  upon  the  prin- 
^'■^  of  equality. 

"^l*  And  in  order  to  provide  for  a  reprefentation  of  the  citizens  of 
'*  Commonwealth  founded  on  the  principle  of  equality,  every 
''Porate  town  containing  one  hundred  and  fifty  rateable  polls,  may 
^  one  reprefentative :  every  corporate  tovvn  containing  three  hun- 
*4  and  feventy-five  rateable  polls,  may  ele^t  two  reprefentatives : 
^ry  corporatjc  town  containing  fix  hundred  rateable  polU,  may 
^  three  reprefcBtatives;  and  proceeding  ia  that  manner,  making 
Vol.'' II,  Cc  two 


194  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

^vo  hundred  and  twenty-five  rateable  polls,    the  mean  iacQUI^i 
number  for  every  additional  repreientative. 

Provided  nevertlielefs,  that  each  town  now  incorporated,  aottef 
ingone  hundred  and  fifty  rateable  polls,  may  ele£t  oncreprefeniarivcs 
but  no  place  fhall  hereafter  be  incorporated  with  the  privilcgcf  rf 
electing  a  reprefentative,  unlcfs  there  arc  within  the  fame  one  hao* 
dred  and  fifty  rateable  polls. 

And  the  Houfe  of  Reprefcntatives  fliall  have  power  from  tknc 
to  time  to  impofe  fines  upon  fuch  towns  as  (liall  negle£t  to  chufc 
and  return  members  to  the  fame,  agreeably  to  this  conftitution. 

The  expences  of  travelling  to  the  general  aflembly,  and  returning 
home  once  in  every  feffion  and  no  more,  fliall  be  paid  by  the  go- 
vernment out  of  the  public  treafury,  to  every  member  who  (halVat. 
tend  as  fcafonably  as  he  can,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Houfe,  and  doei 
not  depart  without  leave. 

III.  Every  member  of  the  Houfe  of  Reprefcntatives  (ball  be  chofe 
by  written  votes ;  and  for  one  year  at  leaft  next  preceding  the  ele 
tion  flvill  have  bean  an  inhabitant  of,  and  have  been  fcifed  in  h 
own  right  of  a  freehold  of  the  value  of  one  hundred  pounds  with 
the  town  he  fliall  be  chofen  to  reprefent,  or  any  rateable  eftate 
the  value  of  two  hundred  pounds ;  and  he  fliall  ceafe  to  reprefe 
the  faid  town,  immediately  on  his  ceafing  to  be  qualified  as  afoi 
faid. 

IV.  Every  male  perfon,  being  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  re 
dent  in  any  particular  town  in  this  Commoilwealth  for  the  fpace 
one  year  next  preceding,  having  a  freehold  eftate  within  the  far 
town,  of  the  annual  income  of  three  pounds,  or  any  eftate  of  the  ¥al 
of  fixty  pounds,  fliall  have  a  right  to  vote  in  the  choice  of  a  repreft 
tative  or  reprefcntatives  for  the  faid  town, 

Yp  The  members  of  the  Houfe  of  Reprefcntatives  fliall  be  chol 
annually  in  the  month  of  May,  tea  days  at.  leaft  before  the  lail  W< 
nefday  of  that  month,  ^ 

VI.  The  Houfe  of  Reprefcntatives  fliall  be  the  grand  inqueft  of  tl 
Commonwealth  ;  and  all  impeachments  made  by  them  fliall  be  hef 
and  tried  by  the  Senate.  . 

VII.  All  money-bills  fliall  originate  in  the  Houfe  of  Reprefen 
tives,.  bijt  the  Senate  may  propofc  or  concur  with  amcndmcms  a* 
other  bilU. 

f 

- .  vra.  % 


OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  195' 

VIH.  The  Houfe  of  Rcprefentativcs  (hall  have  power  to  adjourn 
K.;:.  •«  ^cniiyvcs,  provided  fuch  adjournment  fliall  not  exceed  two  days  at 
)rjj  ^^. 

K.  Not  lefs  than  fixty  members  of  the  Houfc  of  Reprclentativcs. 
™conftitute  a  quorum  for  doing  bufinefa. 

X.  The  Houfe  of  Rcprefentatives  (hall  be  the  judge  of  the  rc- 

^niSy  eledions,  and  qtialifications  of  its  own  members,  as  pointed 

^t  in  the  conflitution  ;  ihali  chufe  their  own  fpeaker,  appoint  their 

<Hro  officei*s,  and  fettle  the  rules  and  orders  of  proceeding  in  their 

<^  Houfe.    They  fliall  have  authority  to  puniflx  by  imprifonment 

every  perfon,  not  a  member,  who  fliall  be  guilty  of  difrefpcdt  to  tiic 

-obufe,   by  any   diforderJy  or  contemptuous  behaviour  in  its  pre- 

ftnce ;  or  who,  in  the  town  where  the  general  court  is  fitting,  and 

diiring  tlic  time  of  its  fitting,  fliall  threaten  harm  to  the  body  or 

eftate  of  any  of  its  members,  for  any  thing  faid  or  done  in  the  Houfe; 

or   who  fliall  aflault  any  of  them  therefor,  or  who  fliall  aflault  or 

arrcft  any  witnefs  or  other  perfon  ordered  to  attend  the  Houfe,  in  his 

way  in  going  or  returning,  or  who  fliall  refcue  any  perfon  arretted 

by  the  order  of  the  Houfe. 

And  no  member  of  the  Houfe  of  Reprefentatives  flull  be  arretted  or 
held  to  bail  on  mefne'procefs,  during  his  going  unto,  returning  from, 
or  his  attending  the  general  aflembly. 
.  XI.  The  Scnlte  fliall  have  the  fame  powers  in  the  like  cafes ;  and 
the  governor  and  council  fliall  have  the  fame  authority  to  punifli  i 
like  cafes.      Provided,    that  no  imprifonment  on  the  warrant  or 
order  of  the  Governor,  Council,  Senate,  or  Houfe  of  Reprefentatives, 
for  either  of  the  above  defcribed  offences,  be  for  a  term  exceediiig 
thirty  days. 

And  the  Senate  and  Houfe  of  Reprefentatives  may  try  and  deters 
mine  all  cafes  where  their  rights  and  privileges  are  concerned,  and 
which  by  the  conftitution  they  havfe  authority  to  try  and  determine 
by  committees  of  their  own  memberS|  or  in  fuch  other  way  as  they 
jpay  refpedively  think  beil. 

GOVERNOR. 

I.  There  fliall  be  a  fupreme  executive  magittrate,  who  fliall  be 
ftiled  The  Governor  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachv- 
SETTS,  and  whofe  title  fliall  be,  His  Excellency. 

II.  The  governor  fliall  be  chofen  annually;  and  no  perfon  fliall  be 
eligible  to  this  oflice,  unlefs  at  the  time  of  his  ele£tL(3(n  be  fliall  have 

C  c  a  been 


196  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

been  an  inhabitant  of  this  Commonwealth  for  fcven  ytzrs'  iMi  Jfrt 
ceding ;  and  unlefs  he  (hall  at  the  fame  time  be  feifed  in  his  own 
right  of  a  freehold  within  the  Commonwealth  of  the  value  of  om 
thoufand  pounds  ;  and  unlefs  he  (hall  declare  himfelf  to  be  of  (he 
Chriftian  religion. 

IIL  Thofe  peribns  who  (hall  be  qualified  to  vote  for  feiiators  aod 
rcprefentatives  within  the  feveral  towns  of  this  ComroonweaWii 
fhall^  at  a  meeting  to  be  called  for  that  purpofe^n  the  firft  Monday 
of  April  annually,  give  in  their  votes  for  a  governor,  to  the  fc 
]c£k  men  who  (hall  preiide  at  fuch  meetings  ;  and  the  town-clerk,  i 
theprefence,  and  with  the  affifUnce  of  the  felcft  men,'  (hall,  in  ope 
town  meeting,  fort  and  coufit  the  votes,  and  form  a  lift  of  the  pci 
fons  voted  for,  with  the  number  of  votcsifor  each  perfon  againfth 
name ;  and  ihall  make  a  fair  record  of  the  fame  in  the  town  book 
and  a  public  declaration  thereof  in  the  faid  meeting ;  and  fha: 
in  th^  prefence  of  the  inhabitants^  feal  up  copies  of  the  laid  lift,  a 
tefted  b)r  him  and  the  felc£t  men,  and  tranfmit  the  fametotheiber 
of  the  county,  thirty  days  at  leaft  before  the  laft  Wednefday  in  Ma 
and  the  fheriff  (liall  tranfn6it  the  fame  to  the  fecretary's  office,  fevc 
teen  days  at  leaft  before  the  faid  laft  Wednefday  in  May ;  or  the  : 
le£^  men  may  caufb  returns  of  th^  fao^e  to  be  made  to  the  ofike 
the  fecretary  of  the  Commonwealthi  feventecn  days  at  Icaft  befc 
the  faid  day  1  and  the  fecretary  fti^ll  lay  th<^  fam^  before  the  Sei)a 
and  the  Houfe  of  Reprefentatiye5>  oh  tli^  laft  Wednefday  in  Ma 
to  be  by  them  examined ;  and  in  cafe  of  an.eleftion  t^the.majori 
of  all  the  votes  returned,  the  choice  ftiall  be  by  them  declared  ai 
publiftied ;  but  if  no  perfon  .ftiali  have  a  majority  of  votes,|  tl 
Houfe  of  Reprefentatives  (liall,  by  ballot,  ele6t  two  out  of  four  p? 
fons  who  had  the  higheft  nuipber  of  votes,  if  fo  many,  (ball  have  b^ 
voted  for;  but  if  otherwife,  out. of  the  number  voted  for,  ai 
make  return  to  the  Senate  of  the  two.perfon^s  &  elc6led,  on  which  tl 
Senate  ftiali  proceed  by  ballot,  to  eled  one,  who  ihatl  b^  decl^( 
governor. 

IV;  The  governor  fliall  have  authority  fron^  time  to  tjme,  at  li 
difcretion,  to  alTemble  and  call  together  fhe  connfellors  of  this  Con 
monwealth  (or  the!  time  being;  and  the  jgoverrior^  with  the  & 
connfellors,  'or  five  of  them  at  leaft,  lliall  and  may,  from  tiio? 
time,  hold  and  k^  *p  a  council  for  the  prdwng  and  direfiing  the  8 
fairs  of  the  Conunon wealth,  agreeably  to  the  conftitution  ^nd  H 
laws  of  the  land. 

V,TI 


t5F    MASSACHUSETTS.  I97 

•  V,  The  governor,  with  advice  of  council,  fliall  haVe  full  power 

wd  authority,  during  the  feffion  of  the  general  court,  to  adjourn  or 

prorogue  the  fanne,  to  any  time  the  two  Houfes  (hall  deiire ;  and  to 

diflblve-  the  fame,  on  the  day  next  preceding  the  laft  Wednefday  ia 

May;  and,  in  the  recefs  of  the  faid  court,  to  prorogue  the  famc^ 

ifQm  time  to  time,  not  exceeding  ninety  days  in  any  one  recefs :  and  to 

call  it  together  fooner  than  the  time  to  which  it  may  be  adjourned  or 

prorogued,  if  the  welfare  of  the  Commonwealth  fliall  require  the 

fame.  And  in  cafe  of  any  infectious  diflemper  prevailing  in  the  place 

where  the  faid  court  is  next  at  any  time  to  convene,  or  any  other 

caufe  happeniiig  whereby  danger  may  arife  to  the  health  or  lives  of 

the  members  from  their  attendance,  he  may  dired:  the  feflion  to  be 

held  at  fomc  other  the  moft  convenient  place  within  the  State. 

And  the  governor  fhall  difTolve  the  faid  general  court  on  the  day 
next  preceding  the  laft  Wednefday  in  May. 

VI.  In  cafes  of  dtfagreement  between  the  two  Houfes,  With  regar4' 
T    to  the  nece^y,  expediency,  or  time  of  adjournment  or  ptx>rogatioo, 

the  governor,  with  the  advice  of  the  council,  (hall  have  a  right  to 
adjourn  or  prorogue  the  general  court,  not  exceeding  ninety  days,  as 
he  fhall  determine  the  public  good  fhall  require. 

VII.  The  governor  of  this  Commonwealth  for  the  time  being 

^1  be  the  commander  in  chief  of  the  army  and  navy,  and  of  all 

^  military  forces  of  the  State  by  fea  and  land  ;  and  fliall  have  full 

power  by  himfelf,  or  by  any  commander,  or  other  officer  or  officers, 

^m  time  to  time  to  train,  inftru£t,  exercife  and  govern  the  militia  and 

fia^'y,  and  for  the  fpecial  defence  and  fafety  of  the  Commonwealth,  to 

'%mble  in  marml  array,  and  put  in  warlike  pofture,  the  inhabitants 

thereof ;  and  to  lead  and  condu£^  them,  and  with  them  to  encounter, 

'^el,  refift,  expelj  and  purfue,  by  force  of  arms,  as  well  by  fea  as 

^  land,  within  or  without  the  limits  of  this  Commonwealth;  and 

*Ub  to  kill,  flay,  and  deftroyy  if  neceflary,  and  conquer,  by  all  fit* 

^*og  ways,  enterprizes,  and  means  whatfoever,  all  and  every  fuch 

pcrfon  and  perfolis  as  (hall,  at  any  time  hereafter,  in  a  hoftlle  man- 

"€r  attempt  or  cnterprife  the  deftru6tion,  invafion,  defeiment,.  or 

"'^oyancc  of- this  Commonwealth;  and  to  ufe  and  exercHe,  over 

^    army  and  navy,  and  over  the  militia  in  adtual  fervice,  the  law- 

***^d,  in  time  of  war  or  invafion,  and  alfo  in  time  of  rebellion, 

^^^^rcd'by  the  legiflature  to  exift,  as  occafion  fliall  aecefil'Tily  re- 

^^^^^'e ;  and  to  take  and  furprii'e  by  all  ways  and  n^eans  whatioever, 

^    and  every  fuch  perfon  or  perfons,  with  their  fhips,  arms,  am^ 

muniibn, 


198"  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

munitioq,  and  other  goods,  as  fhall  in  a  iioftile  manner  in^de, 
attempt  the  invading,  conquering,  or  annoying  this  Commonwealr 
and  that  the  governor  be  entrufted  with  all  thefe  and  other  bow 
incident  to  the  oflices  of  captain-general  and  commander  in  chi 
and  admiral,  to  be  excrcifed  agreeably  to  the  rules  and  regulatio 
of  the  conftitution,  and  the  laws  of  the  land,  and  riot  otlierwifc. 

■  Provided,  that  the  laid  governor  fhall  not,  at  any  tiiwe  hereafte 
by  virtue  of  any  power  by  this  conftitution  granted,  or  hereafter! 
be  granted  to  him  by  the  legiflature,  traniVort  any  of  the  inhab 
tants  of  this  Commonwealth,  or  oblige  them  to  march  out  of  th 
luntts  of  the  fame,  without  their  free  and  voluntary  confent,  or  th 
conient  of  the  general  court ;  except  lb  far  as  may  be  neceffary  t 
march  or  tranfport  them  by  land,  or  water,  for  the  defence  of  luc 
part  of  the  State  to  which  they  cannot  otherwife  conveniently  ha\ 
accefs. 

VIII.  The  power  of  pardoning  offences,  except  fuch  as  perfoi 
may  be  convi<5led  of  before  the  Senate  by  an  impeachment  of  tl 
Houfe,  fhall  be  in  the  governor,  by  and  with  the  advice  of  tl 
council :  but  no  charter  of  pardon  granted  by  the  governor,  wi 
the  advice  of  the  council,  before  convidion,  fhall  avail  the  par 
pleading  the  fame,  notwithftanding  any  general  or  particular  exprc 
fions  contained  therein  defcriptive  of  the  offence  or  offences  intend 
to  be  pardoned. 

IX.  All  judicial  officers,  the  attorney-general,  folicitor-gener; 
all  flierifft,  coroners,  and  regifters  of  probate,  fliall  be  nominal 
and  appointed  by  the  governor,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  confe 
of  the  council ;  and  every  fuch  nomination  fliall  be  made  by  the  g 
vernor,  and  made  at  leaft  {even  days  prior  to  fuch  appointment. 

X.  The  captains  and  fubalterns  of  the  militia  fliall  be  elefted  1 
the  written  votes  of  the  train-band  and  alarm-lift  of  their  rcfpefti 
companies  of  twenty -one  years  of  age  and  upwards :  the  field  of 
cers  of  regiments  fliall  be  cle£ted  by  the  written  votes  of  the  captai 
and  fubakerns  of  their  refpedive  regiments :  the  brigadiers  flial 
elected  in  like  manner  by  the  field  officers  of  their  refpeftive  hi 
gades :  and  fuch  officers  fo  eleded  fhall  be  commiffioned  by  the  g 
vernor,  who  fliall  determine  their  rank. 

The  legiflature  fhall,  by  ftanding  laws,  dire6l  the  time  and  ma 
ner  of  convening  the  ele£lors,  and  of  collefting  votes,  and  o  c* 
til^'ing  to  the  governor  the  officers  eledted. 


'• 


"*".' 


OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  igg 

The  major-generals  fliall  be  appo'mted  by  the  Senate  and  Houfe 
of  Reprefentatives,  each  having  a  negative  upon  the  other  ;  and  be 
f     commiffioned  by  the  governor. 

And  if  the  eleftors  of  brigadiers,  field  officers,-  captains,  or  fub- 
alterns,  ihall  neglect  or  refufe  to  make  fuch  ele<flions,  after  being  duly 
.^  I     notified,  according  to  the  laws  for  the  time  being,  then  the  gover- 
nor, with  advice  of  council,  fhall  appoint  fuitable  perfons  to  fill  fuch 
j-fi     offices. 

And  no  officer,  duly  commiflioned  to  command  in  the  militia,  (hall 
oe  removed  from  his  office,  but  by  the  addrefs  of  both  Houfes  to 
^ne  governor,  or  by  fair  trial  in  court-martial,  purfuant  to  the  laws 
^  the  Commonwealth  for  the  time  being. 

The  commanding  officers  pf  regiments  fliall  appoint  their  adju- 
tants and  quarter-mailers  ;  the  brigadiers  their  brigade-majors  ;  and 
^he  major-generals  their  aids;  and  the. governor  fliall  appoint  the 
^^jutant-general. 

The  governor,  with  advice  of  council,  fliall  appoint  all  officers  of 
"le  continental  army,  whom,  by  the  copfederation  of  the  United 
States,  it  is  provided,  that  this  Commonwealth  fliall  appoint,  as  alfo 
^'*  ofiicers  of  forts  and  garrifons. 

Ihe  divifions  of  the  mililia  into  brigades,  regiments  and  compa- 
'^^^s,  made  in  purfuancc  of  the  militia  laws  now  in  force,  fliaU  be 
confidered  as  the  proper  divilions  of  the  militia  of  this  Common- 

^^slth,  until  the  fame  fliali  be  altered  in  purfuance  of  fome  future 
law. 

XI,  No  monies  fhall  be  iifued  out  of  the  treafury  of  this  Com- 

"^onwealth,  and  difpofed  of  (except  fucli  fums  as  may  be  appjropri- 

ated  for  the  redemption  of  bills,  of  credit  or  treafurers  notes,  or  for 

^^  payment  of  interefts  arifing  thereon)  but  by  warrant  under  tlic 

"^'id  of  the  governor  for  the  time  being,  with  the  advice  andconfent 

^lie  council,  for  the  neceflary  defence  and  fupport  of  the  Com- 

^^r^'wealth;  and  for  the  protection  and  prefervation  of  the  inhabitant* 

^^cof,  agreeably  to  the  a6ts  and  refolves  of  the  general  court.  . 

,    "^ClI.  All  public  boards,  the  comoaiflary-gencral,  all  iuperintend- 

^     officers  of  public  magazines  and  (lores  belonging  to  this  Com- 

^^^ ^wealth,  and  all  commanding  officers  of  forts  and  garrifons  within 

^    fktne,  (hall  once  in  every  three  months,  officially,  and  without 

..  ^liifition,  and  at  other  times  when  required  by  the:  governor,  de- 

^^^r  to  him  an  account  of  all  gogds,  (lores,  proviiions,  ammunttjion. 


inon  with  their  appendages,  and  fmall-arips  with  their  accoutre- 
'  \     .  3  .  mcnts^ 


200  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

nicnts,  and  of  all  other  public  property  whatever  under  theif 
refpedively;  diftingiiifliing  the  quantity,  number^  quality  and 
of  each,  as  particularly  as  may  be ;  together  with  the  condition  ^ 
fuch  forts  and  garrifons :  and  the  faid  commanding  officer  ihall  cs* 
hibit  to  the  governor,  when  required  by  him,  true  and  exadpla^.*)' 
of  fuch  forts,  and  of  the  land  and  fea,  or  harbour  or  harbours  at-d- 
jvent.  - 

And  the  faid  boards,  and  all  public  officers,  fliall  communicate  to 
the  governor,  as  foon  as  may  be  after  receiving  the  fame,  all  letters, 
difpatchcs,  and  intelligence  of  a  public  nature,  which  fhall  be  di- 
refted  to  them  refpeftively. 

XIII.  As  the  public  good  requires  that  the  governor  fliould  net 
be  under  the  undue  influence  of  any  of  the  members  of  the  genei'^l 
court,  by  a  dependence  on  them  for  his  fupport — that  he  fliould  w 
all  cafes  b^  with  freedom  for  the  benefit  of  the  puDlic — that  h^ 
ihould  not  have  his  attention  necefl'arily  diverted  from  that  object  to 
his  private  concerns — and  that  he  Ihould  maintain  the  dignity  of  the 
Commonwealth  in  the  chara6ler  of  its  chief  magiflrate,  it  is  neccJf* 
jaiy  that  he  fliould  have  an  honourable  flated  falaiy,  of  a  fixed  ao^ 
permanent  value,  amply  fufEcient  for  thofe  purpofes,  and  eflablifli.*^* 
by  flanding  laws  ;  and  it  fhall  bo  among  the  firft  ads  of  the  genc^^ 
court,  after  the  commencement  of  this  conftitution,  to  eilablilh  fc»^^ 
falary  by  law  accordingly. 

Permanent  and  honourable  falarics  fhall  alfo  be  eflablifhed  by  1*^^  ^ 
for  the  ju dices  of  the  fupreme  judicial  court. 

And  if  it  fliall  be  found  that  any  of  the  falaries  aforefaid,  fo  ci^*' 
blifhed,  are  infufiicient,  they  fhall  from  time  to  time  be  cnlargeci  ^ 
the  general  court  fliall  judge  proper. 

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR* 

I.  There  fhall  be  annually  cleded  a  lieutenant-governor  of  -  "^"^ 
Commonwealth  of  MafTachufetts,  whofe  dtle  fhall  be,  HisHoNOt^'  ^ ' 
and  who  fliall  be  qualified,  in  point  of  religion,  property,  and  r^^^* 
dence  in  the  Commonwealth,  in  the  fanae  manner  with  the  go!^^^* 
nor :  and  the  day  and  manner  of  his  ele^ion,  and  the  qualificatic^** 
of  the  eledors,  fhall  be  the  fame  as  arc  required  in  the  ele6ibiB.  ^^ 
a  governor.  The  return  of  the  votes  for  this  officer,  and  the  de^^^' 
ration  of  his  election,  fliail  be  in  the  fame  manner :  -and  if  no 
perfon  fhall  be  found  to  have  a  majority  of  all  the  votes  ret^m 
the  vacancy  fhall  be  filled  by  the  ScoatcaadHourc  of  Repwfci***^ 


ti 


O^   MASSACHUSETTS*  :2QS 

ti^  b  tile  fame  manoer  ^  the  governor  M  to  be  dented)  IB  cafe  no  one 
periba  ihall  have  a  majority  of  the  votes  of  the  people  to  be  governoic* 

IT.  The  governor,  and  in  his  abfence  the  lieutenantikgovernoi;^ 
^1  be  prefident  of  the  council,  btit  fliall  have  no  vote  in  council'; 
and  the  lieutenant-governor  {hall  always  be  a  xnember  of  the  coua- 
cil»  except  when  the  chair  of  the  governor  (hall  be  vacant. 

IIL  Whenever  the  chair  of  the  governor  ihall  be  vacant,  by  tea* 
foQ  of  his  death,  or  abfence  from  the  Commonwealth,  or  othervrife, 
the  lieutenant-governor  for  the  time  being  fhall,  during  fuch  va- 
rancy,  perform  all  the  duties  incumbent  upon  the  governor,  andCnd! 
lave  and  exercife  all  the  powers  and  authorities  which  by  this  cbQ* 
titution  the  governor  is  veiled  with  when  perfooally  ptefeat* 

• 

COUNCIL. 

• 

I.  There  ((lali  be  a  council  for  adviilng  the  goterhor  in  the  exe* 
utive  part  of  government,  to  coofift  of  nine  perfons  beiides  the 
eutenant-governor,  whom  the  governor  for  the  time  being  fhall  have 
ill  power  and  authority,  ^from  time  to  time,  at  his  difcretiod,  to 
Qemble  and  call  together.  And  the  governor,  with  the  iiud  coun- 
'llorst  or  five  of  them  at  kail,  ihall  and  may,  from  thne  to  time, 
old  and  keep  a  council,  for  the  ordering  and  direding  the  affairs  of 
)e  Commonwealth  according  to  the  laws  of  the  land. ' 

n.  Nine  counfellors  ihall  be  annually  chofen  from  among  the 
erfons  returned  for  oouniellors  and  fenatora,  on  the  lail  Wednefday 
^  May,  by  the  joint  ballot  of  the  fenators  and  repreientatives  aT- 
Qibled  in  one  room ;  and  in  caie  there  ihall  not  be  found)  upon 
e  firft  cilice,  the  whcole  number  of  nine  perfons  who  Will  accept  a 
U  in  the  council,  the  deficiency  ihall  be  made  up  by  the  ele£toca 
^refaid  from  among  the  people  at  laige,  and  the  number  of  fena* 
'a  left  ihall  conilitute  tho  Senate  for  the  year.  The  feats  of  the  per* 
ks  thus  elected  from  the  Senate,  and  accepting  the  truil^  ihall  be 
crated  in  the  Senate. 

KlL  The  counfellors,  in  the  civil  arrangements  of  the  Common* 
-9ltb,  ihall  have  rank  next  after  the  lieuteban^>goveroor* 

IV.  Not.  more  than  two  couufeUors  ihall  be  choieaout  of  any  oae 
ibn^t  of  .this  Commonwealth. 

V.  The.  reibiutions  and  advice  of  the  coundl  ihall  be  recorded  in 
r^ifl^i  and  figoed  by  the  members  prefent,  and  this  record. may 
»<aDed  for  at  any  time  by  other  Houfe  of  the  kgiilature,  and  any 
ember  of  the  council  (Day  iniert  his  opinion  contrary  to  the  reio* 
tbo  of  the  majority. 

VoL.lL  Dd  VI.  When- 


aOi  G£K£RAL    DESCRIPTION 

-  VL  Whenever  the  office  of  the  governor  and  lieutenant-goyem 
flvdl  be  vacant,  by  reafon  of  death,  abfence,  or  othehifife,  then  tl 
council,  or  the  major  part  of  them,  (ha\\,  during  fuch  vacancy, ha^ 
•All!  power  and  authority  to  do,  and  execute,  all  and  every  fuchaf 
tnatters  and  things,  as  the  governor,  or  the  lieutenant^governo 
might  or  could,  by  virtue  of  this  cOnftitution,  do  or  execute,  if  th< 
or  either  of  them  were  pcrfonally  prefent. 

VII.  And  whereas  the  ele£^ions  appointed  to  be  made  by  t] 
confiitution,  on  the  laft  Wednefday  in  May  annually,  by  the  t 
Houfes  of  the  legiflature,  may  not  be  completed  on  that  day,  1 
feid  elections  may  be  adjourned  from  day  to  day  until  the  fame  fl 
be  completed.  And  the  order  of  ele^^^ions  fhall  be  as  follows :  1 
vacancies  in  the  Senate,  if  any,  fiiall  firil  be  filled  up  ;  the  gbven 
and  lieutenant-governor  fhall  then  be  elected,  provided  there  flio 
be  no  choice  of  them  by  the  people ;  and  afterwards  the  two  Hoi 
'  (hall  proceed  to  the  ele^ion  of  the  council. 

SECRETARY,   TREASURER,    COMMISSARY,  &C, 

L  The  fecretary,  treafurer  and  reeeiver-gcneral,  and  the  comi 
fary-general^  notaries  public,  and  naval  officers,  (hall  be  chofen 

•  iiually,  by  joint  ballot  of  the  fenators  and  reprefentatives,  in 
room.  And  that  the  citfzens  of  this  Commonwealth  m?y  be  aiTu 
from  tirafe  to  time,  that  the  monies  remaining  in  the  public  treafi 
upon  the  fettlement  and  liquidation  of  the  public  accounts,  ore  tl 
property,  no  man  fhall  be  eligible  as  treafurer  and  receiver-gen 
inofe  than  five  years  fucceffively, 

U.  The  records  of  tlie  ComnxJnwealth  fhall  be  kept  in  the  oi 
6f  the  fecretary,  who  may  appoint  his  deputies,  for  whofe  cone 
he  (hall  be  accountable ;  and  he  (liall  attend  the  governor  and  co 

'  cil^  the  Senate  ,  and  Houfe  of  Reprefentatives,  in  perfoni  or  by 
deputies,  as  they  fliall  refpedively  require. 


JUDICIARY     POWER. 

1.  The  tenure  that  all  commiifion  officers  (hall  by  law  have  in  t 
dffices  fhall  be  cxpreffed  in  their  refpedive  commiffions.  Allj 
cial  ofiicers,  duly  appointed,  commiffioned  and  fworn,  (hall  '. 
'thdr  offices  during  'good  behaviour,  excepting  fuch  concerning  w 
'^there  k  diiferent  provifion.  made  in  this  conditution  ;  providedf 
\VerthAler^  •  the  govemof,  with  confent  of  the  coilncil,  may  ren 
Htheln  upoft  the>iuidrc&  of  both  Houfes  of  the  Legiflature. 

4  II.  I 


7   ■ 


OF    MASSACHUSETTS.  >       '  Z0$ 

&•  £ick  branch  of  the  LegHlature,  as  well  as  the  gortmoT  and 
coufid^  (ball  have  authority  to  require  jthe  opinions  of  the  jufiicca' 
of  the  fupreme  judicial  court  upon  imponant  queftions  of  law,  and* 
">poo  folemn  occaiions. 
"^^^  in.  In  order  that  the  people  may  not  fufier  from  the  long  co»>. 
''}  ir ^  tiouance  in  place  pf  any  juftice  of  the.  peace,  who  fliall  fail  of  dif- 
charging  the  iipportant  duties  of  his  office  with  ability  or  fidelity, - 
^i  ail  coRiraifions  of  jufiices  inf  the  peace  (hall  expire  and  become  void. 
^tst^  in  the  term  of  feven  years  from  their  refpedive  dates ;  and  upon  thr 
^^5*  4  expiration  of  any  commiffion,  the  fame  may,  if  necef&ry,  be  re- 
"Tie  2i  oewed,  or  another  perfon  appointed,  as  ihall  moil  conduce  to  the 
Well-being  of  the  Commonwealth. 

IV.  The  judges  of  probate  of  wills,  and  for  granting  letters  o£ 
^miniftration,  (hall  hold  their  courts  at  fiich  place  or  places,  oa 
fcced  days,  as  the  convenience  of  Che  people  Ihali  require ;  and  the 
Legiflature  (liall,  from  tune  to  time,  hereafter  appoint  fuch  times  and 
places  ;  until  which  appointments,  the  faid  courts  fhall  be  holden  at 
the  times  and  places  which  the  refpe£tive  judges  ihall  diredi. 

V.  All  caufes  of  marriage,  divorce  and  alimony,  and  all  appeals 
^m  the  judges  of  probate,  ihall  be  heard  and  determined  fay  the 
governor  and  council,  until  the  Legiflature  ihall  by  law  make  other 
provifion, 

DELEGATES    TO    CONGRESS. 

The  delegates  of  this  Commonwealth  to  the  Congrefs  of  the 

United  States  ihall,  fome  time  in  the  month  of  June  annually,  be 

«lc^ed  by  the  joint  ballot  of  the  Senate  and  Houfe  pf  Reprefenta- 

^vcs,  aflembled  together  in  one  room,  to  ferve  in  Congrefs  for  one 

year,  to  commence  on  the  firil  Monday  in  November  then  next  en* 

^'ng.    They  ihall  have  commilEons  under  the  hand  of  the  governor 

^'^^  the  great  feal  of  the  Commonwealth,  but  may  be  recalled  at  any 

^nie  within  the  year,  and  others  chofen  and  commiffioned,  in  the 

^manner,  in  their  Head* 

VNIvi^RSITY    OF  CAMBRIDGE. 

"^^  Whereas  our  wife  and  pious  anceilors,  fo  early  as  the  year 
3^9  laid  the  foundation  of  Harvard  College,  in  which  univerfity 


.   ^'tiy  perfons  of  great  eminence  have,  by  the  bleffing  of  God,  been 
^^^iatedin  thofe  arts  and  fcicnces  whi^h  qualified  them:  for  public 
^^^ployments,  both  in  church  and  ilate  t  and  whereas  the  encourage^ 
i  of  arts  ^d  fcieuces,.  aad  all  good  literature,  teads  to  tht;  J^ot  > 

P  d  »  pour 


%04  GftN£^RAL   DSSCtlVTlCyN 

mow  e(  God,  the  idmeage  ef  the  Chriftian  rdigioii,  m4  At  gr^ae 
btncfit  of  this  aod  the  other  United  States  of  America ;  it  it  decltr«<( 
that  the  prefident  and  fellows  of  Harvard  College,  in  their  corpo^ 
rate  capacity,  and  their  fuccelTors  in  that  capacity,  their  officers  anrf 
fixvants,  (hall  have,  hold,  i|fe,  exercife  and  enjoy  all  the  power5| 
authorities,  rights,  liberties,  privileges,  immunities  and  frapchifes, 
which  they  now  have,  or  are  entitled  to  have,  hold,  nfe,  exerdie 
and  enjoy:  an4  the  fame  are  hereby  ratified  and  confirmed  imtQ 
them,  the  faid  prefident  and  fellows  of  Harvard  College,  and  to  their 
fucceffi>r£,  and  to  their  officers  and  fervants,  refpeftively,  for  ever. 

n.  And  whereas  there  have  been  at  fundry  times,  by  divers  per* 
fons,  gifts,  grants,  devifes  of  houfes,  lands,  tenements,  goods,  chaN 
tsls,  legacies  and  conveyances,  heretofore  made,  either  to  Harvard 
College^  in  Cambridge,  in  New-England,  or  to  the  prefident  and 
fellows  of  Harvard  College,  or  to  the  faid  college  by  fome  other 
deicription,  under  fcveral  charters  fucceffively ;  it  is  declared,  that 
all  the  faid  .gifts,  grants,  devifes,  legacies  and  conveyances,  are  hereto 
for  ever  confirmed  unto  the  president  and  fellows  of  Harvard  Col-r 
htgCy  and  to  their  fucceflbrs  in  the  capacity  aforefaid,  according 
the  true  intent  and  ixieaning  of  the  4^mor  o^  donors,  grantor 
grantors,  devifpr  or  devifors. 

III.  And  whereas,  by  an  a£t  of  the  general  court  of  the  colony  c^^ 
Maflachufetts  bay,  paiTed  in  the  year  164*,  the  governor  and  deputy^^* 
goizemor  for  the  time  being,  and  all  the  magifirates  of  that  juri^** 
ddlon,  were,  with  the  preiident,  and  a  nun^ber  of  the  clergy  in  tlfc-*^ 
faid  aft  defcribed,  conftituted  the  oyerfeers  of  Harvard  College :  aiw  "^ 
it  being  nccciTary,  in  this  new  coniiitntion  of  government,  to 
tain  who  fhall  be  deemed  fucceflbrs  to  the  faid  governor,  depnt 
governor,  and  magiftrates:  it  is  declared,  tj^at  the  governor, 
tenant-governor,  council,  aiKi  Senate  of  this  Conwionwealth  ari 
and  ihall  be  deemed  their  fuccelTors  ;  who^  with  the  preiident 
Harvard  College  for  the  time  being,  together  with  the  minifters 
the  congregational  churches  in  the  towns  of  Caipbridge,  Watci 
town,  Charlefton,  Bofton,  Roxbury  and  Dorchefter,  mentioned  i 
the  iaid  a£t^,  fliall  be,  and  hereby  are,  vefted  with  all  tl^e  powers  an. 
authority  belonging,  or  in  any  way  appertaining,  to  the  overfeers 
Harvard  College  ;  provided,  that  nothing  herein  fiiali  be  cpnftrw 
to  pneuent  the  Legiflature  of  this  pooRinon wealth  from  makitfg  fua 
altetlationi  in  the  government  of  the  faid  univerfity,  as  fiiall  be  c( 
dticiveto'its  advantage,  and  the  intereft  of  the  republic  of  t^tterS) 

i'.l«#l  -/A 


OP    MASSACHUSETTS.  iog 

iB  full  a  manner  as  might  have  beet)  clone  by  the  Legiflature  of  tie 
bte  proviQoe  of  the  MafTachufetts  bay. 

BNpOURAGEMENT   OF    LITEKATVRC. 

Wifdoro  Aod  knowledge^  as  well  as  virtue,  diffufed  generalff 
mong  the  body  of  the  people,  being  neceffary  for  the  prefervatioa 
f  tbeir  rights  and  liberties  $  >  and  as  thefe  depend  on  fpreading  the 
pportunities  and  advantages  of  education  in  the  various  parts  of 
le  country,  and  among  the  different  orders  of  the  people  ;  it  ihali 
:  the  duty  of  the  legiflatures  and  magiftrates,  in  all  future  periods 

thi$  Commonwealth,  to  cherifli  the  interefts  of  literature  and  the 
ences,  and  all  feminaries  of  them ;  efpecially  the  univerfity  at 
itnbridge,  public  fchools  and  grammar  iichools  in  the  towns ;  to 
fourage  private  focieties  and  public  infli  tut  ions, -rewards  and  im^ 
Jnities,  for  the  promotion  of  agriculture,  sirts,  fciences,  commerce^ 
ides,  manufadcures,  and  a  natural  hiflory  of  the  country ;  to  coun- 
lance  and  inculqite  the  principles  of  humanity  and  general  bene-r 
lence,  public  and  private  charity,  induftry  and. frugality,  honefty 
J  punctuality  in  their  dealings  $  iincerity,  good-humour,  and  all 
ial  aflfe6tioi)s  and  generous  feptiments  among  the  people. 

PATHS   AND   SUBSCRIPTIONS. 

^ny  perfon  chofen  governor,  lieutenant-governor,  counfellor, 
iter,  or  reprefentative,  apd  accepting  the  truft,  ihall,  before  he 
^ed  to  execute  the  duties  of  his  place  or  office,  make  and  fub« 
!^e  the  following  declaration,  viz. 

I  A.  6.  do  declare,  that  I  believe  the  Chriftian  religion,  and 
^  a  firm  perfuaiiqn  of  its  truth  ;  and  tliat  I  am  feifed  and  pof« 
^tl|  in  my  own  right,  of  the  property  reiquired  by  the  conflitu-r 
as  pne  qualification  for  the  office  or  place  to  which  I  am  elected.'* 
Uid  the  governor,  lieutenant-governor,  and  counfellors,  flialj 
ce  and  fubfcribe  the  (aid  declaration  in  the  prefence  of  the  twa 
uies  of  AflTembly ;  and  the  fenators  and  reprefentative^  firft  ele6ied 
ler  this  conftitution,  before  the  prefident  and  five  of  the  council 
the  former  conAitution,  and  for  ever  afterwards  befoire  the  goverr 
'  and  council  for  the  time  being, 

Vnd  every  perfon  chofen  tq  either  of  the  places  or  offices  afore* 
»  as  alio  any  perfon  appointed  or  commiffioned  to  any  judicial^ 
^tivcy  military,  or  other  office  uqder  the  govemmenti  fhall,  be- 
lie enters  pn  ^be  difdi^ar^  of  the  bufinefs:  of  liis  pl^ce  or  office, 

take 


206  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

take  and  fubfcribe  the  following  declaration^  and  oaths  or  affinna* 
tions,  yi2» 

•*  I  A,   B.  do  truly  and  (incerely  acknowledge,  profefs,  tcftify, 
and  declare,    that  the  Commonwealth  of  Maflachiifetts  is,  and  oi 
right  ought  to  be,  a  free,  ibvereign,  and  independent  State ;  and  I  dl 
fWear,  that  I  will  bear  true  faith  and  allegiance  to  the  faid  Comrooft^- 
vealth,  and  that  I  will  defend  the  fame  againft  traiterous  confpiraciei 
and  all  hofHle  attempts  whatfoever :  and  that  I  do  renounce  and  abjure 
all  allegiance,  fwbjcdion,  and  obedience,  to  the  King,  Queen,  or  go- 
Terolnent  of  Great-Britain  (as  the  cafe  may  be)  and  every  other  foreigft 
power  whatfoever :  and  that  no  foreign  prince,  perfon,  prelate,  date, 
or  potentate,  hath,  or  ought  to  have,  any  jurifdi£tion,  fuperiority> 
pre-eoiinence,  authority,  difpenfing  or  other  power,  in  any  matter, 
civil,  eccleiiaftical,  orfpiritual,  within  this  Commonwealth,  except  tbe 
authority  or  power  which  is  or  may  be  vcfted  by  their  conftituents  in 
the  Congrefe  of  the  United  States.     And  I  do  further  teftify  and  de- 
clare, that  no  man  or  body  of  men  hath  or  can  have  any  right  to  ab 
folve  or  difcharge  me  from  the  obligcition  of  this  oath,  declaration,  o 
alBrmation ;   and  that  I  do  make  this  acknowledgment,   profeffioi 
teilimony,  -declaration,  denial,  renunciation,  and  abjuration,,  heartil 
and  truly,  according  to  the  common  meaning  and  acceptation  of  tl 
foregoing  words,  without  any  equivocation,  mental  evafion,  or  fecr 
refiervation  whatfoever.     So  help  n^  God/' 

"  I  A.  B.  do  folemnly  fwear  and  affirm,  that  I  will  feirhfully  ai 
knpartially  difcharge  and  perform  all  the  duties  incumbent  on  me 

according  to  the  bcft  of  my  abilities  and  underftandin. 
agreeably  to  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  condltutbn,  and  tl 
laws  of  this  Commonwealth.     So  help  nf>e  God,**^ 

Provided  always,  that  when  any  perfon  chofen  or  appointed  = 
afovefaid,  (hall  be  of  the  denomination  of  the  people  called  Quaker 
and  fhall  decline  taking  the  faid  oaths,  he  fliail  make  his  affiimatio 
n  the  foregoing  form,  and  fubfcribe  the  fame;  omitting  the  word 
^^  1  ^  fwior^^*  '*^  and^hjure^''-  ^  oath  or^'*  *' abjuration,'*  in  tl 
irflo^;  and  in  the  feCood  !Oatb,  the  words,  ^^  fwear  and^'  and* 
caeh'of  tbiem  the  words,  "  So  help  me  Gody**  fubjoiniog  iaiies 
thereof,  "  I'his  I  do  under  the  pains  and  penalties  of  perjury,^* 

And  the  faid  oaths  oraflirmatio'ns  ihal)  be  taken  and  fubfcnbed  I 
the  governor,  lieutenant'-governor,  and  counfellors^  beibpe  ^ 
pirefrdent  of  the  Senate  in  the  prefencefof  the  twoHoufes  of  Atfc^ 
bly;.aRd  by  tiie  fenators  and  repi^cfepjativcs  iirft  elected  under  ^ 


Ot    MASSACHUSETTS.  207 

tonftitutlon,  before  the  prefidcnt  and  five  of  the  council  of  the  former 
fX)nftitution,  and  for  ever  afterwards  before  the  governor  and  council 
for  the  time  being,  and  by  the  refidue  of  the  officers  aforefaid,  before 
fuch  perfons  and  in  fuch  manner  as  from  time  to  time  iliall  be  pre- 
fcribed  by  the  legiflature. 

DISQUALIFICATIONS    POU   OFFICE. 

No  governor,  hen  tenant-governor,  or  judge  of  the  Supreme 
Judicial  Court,  fliall  hold  any  other  oiiice  or  place  under  the  autho« 
thority  of  this  Commonwealth,  except  fuch  as  by  this  conftitution  they 
^e  admitted  to  hold  ;  faving  that  the  judges  of  the  faid  court  ma/ 
hold  the  offices  of  jufiices  of  the  peace  through  the  State  ;  nor  (hall 
they  hold  any  other  place  or  office,  or  receive  any  penfion  or  falary 
from  any  other  flate  or  government  or  power  whatever. 

No  perfon  (liall  be  capable  of  holding  or  exercifing  at  the  fame 
time  more  than  one  of  the  following  offices  within  this  State,  viz* 
judge  of  probate,  iherifF,  regifter  of  probate,  or  regifler  of  deeds ;  and 
never  more  than  any  two  offices  which  are  to  be  held  by  appointment 
of  the  governor,  or  the  governor  and  council,  or  the  Senate,  or  the 
Houfe  of  Reprefentatives,  or  by  the  eledlion  of  the  people  of  the 
State  at  large,  or  of  the  people  of  any  country,  military  offices 
^d  the  offices  of  juftices  of  the  peace  excepted,  fhall  be  held  by  one 
perfon. 

No  perfon  holding  the  office  of  judge  of  the  Supreme  Judicisd" 
Court,   fecretary,   attorney-general,  folicitor-general,   treafurer^  or 
''eceiver- general,  judge  of  probate,  commifTary- general  ;  prefident, 
P^'ofcflbr,  or  inftrudor  of  Harvard  college ;    flieriff,    clerk  of  the 
Houfe  of  Reprefentatives,    regifler  of  probate,    regifter  of  deeds, 
clerk  of  the  Supreme  Judicial  Court,  clerk  of  the  inferior  court 
^f    Common  Pleas,    or  officer  of  the  cufloms,    including  in  this 
^efcription  naval  officers,  fliall  at  the  fame  time  have  a  feat  in  the 
Senate  or  Houfe  of  Reprefentatives ;  but  their  being  chofen  or  ap- 
pointed  to,  and  accepting  the  fame,  fliall  operate  as  a  refignation  of 
their  feat  in  the  Senate  or  Houfe  of  Reprefentatives,  and  the  place  fo 
^3<^ated  fhall  be  filled  up. 
And  the  fame  rule  fhall  take  place  in  cafe  any  judge  of  the  faid 
^Preme  Judicial  Court,  or  judge  of  probate,  fhall  accept  of  a  feat  in 
^^^ncil;  or  any  counfellor  fhall  accept  of  either  of  thofe  offices  or 
P^ces. 

'And  no  perfon  fhall  ever  be  admitted  to  hold  a  feat  in  the  legifia- 
^^e,  or  any  office  of  trull  or  importance  under  the  government  of 

this 


208  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

this  C6mmonwealth,  who  (hall,  in  the  due  couife  of  law,  htve 
been  conv^led  of  bribery  or  corruption  in  obtaining  an  eledHon  or 
appointment. 

PECUNIARY    QUALIFICATIONS   FOR   OFFICE* 

In  all  cafes  where  fums  of  money  are  mentioned  in  this  coofH* 
tution  uf  qualifications,  the  value  thereof  (Iiall  be  computed  in  filver, 
at.dx  fliilliogs  and  eight-pence  per  ounce;  and  it  ilmll  be  in  the 
power  of  the  legillature  from  time  to  time  to  increafe  ftx:h  qualifi- 
catif.ins,  as  to  property  of  the  perfons  to  be  eleded  into  offices,  as 
the  circumflances  of  the  Commonweahh  fliall  require. 

COMMISSIONS. 

All  commiflions  fhall  be  in  the  name  of  the  Commonwealth  of 
Maifachufetts,  iigned  by  the  governor,  and  attelled  by  the  fe- 
cretary  or  his  deputy,  and  have  the  great  feal  of  the  Commoo- 
wcahh  affixed  tliereto. 

WRITS. 

All  writs  iiTuing  out  of  the  clerk's  office  in  any  of  the  courts  of 
law  fliall  be  in  the  name  of  the  Commonwealth  of  MaiTachufetts ; 
they  (hall  be  under  the  feal  of  the  court  from  whence  they  ifTuc ; 
they  Ihall  bear  teft  of  the  firft  juftice  of  the  court  to  which  thqr 
ihall  be  returnable  who  is  not  a  party,  and  be  iSgned  by  the  clerk 
of  fuch  court. 

CONFIRMATIOK   OF    LAWS. 

All  the.  laws  which  have  heretofore  been  adopted,  nfdd  and  ap* 
proved  in  the  province,  colony,  or  State  of  MaiTachufetts  bay,  and 
ufually  pradifed  on  in  the  courts  of  law,  fliall- flill  remain  antl 
be  in  full  force,  until  altered  or  repealed  by  the  legiflaturc ;  fiich 
parts  only  excepted  as  are  repugnant  to  the  rights  and  liberties 
contained  in  this  conilitution. 

'habeas  corpus. 

The  privilege  and  benefit  of  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus  fhali  be  en* 
joyed  in  this  Commonwealth,    in  the  mofk  free,  eafy,  cheap,  ex- 
peditious, and  ample  manner ;  and  fliall  not  be  fufpcnded  by  the 
legiflature,  except  upon  the  moil  urgent  and  prefling  occafions,  and 
for  a  limited  time  not  exceeding  twelve  months. 

ENAcr  _ 


O^F    MASSACHUSETTS.  B09 

m 

XNACTINO    STILE  OF   LAWS. 

^  ena£^ing  fiile  in  roaliog  and  paffing  all  a6by  flatutes,  and 
iaws,  (hall  be,  «*  Be  it  cnaded  by  the  Senate  and  Houfe  of  Reprefen- 
tatives  in  general  court  affenxbled,  and  by  the  authority  of  the  fame.*' 

CONTINUAVCS  OF   OFFICERS. 

To  the  end  there  may  be  no  failure  of  }ufkice,  or  danger  arife 
5^  i    to  the  Commonwealth  from  the  change  of  the  form  of  government-^ 
a/1  officers,  civil  and  military,  holding  commiffions  under  the  go* 
verniijent  and  people  of  MafTachufetts  bay,  in  Nevv<»England,  and  all 
other  officers  of  the  faid  government  and  people,  at  the  time  this  con« 
ilitutioa  fhall  take  effect,  fhall  have,  hold,  ufe,  exercife,  and  en* 
joy  all  the  powers  and  authority  to  them  granted  or  committed^ 
actil  other  perfons  fliall  be  appointed  in  their  flead ;  and  all  courtt 
of  law  (hall  proceed  in  the  execution  of  the  budnefs  of  their  tefytc* 
tive  departments  ;  and  all  the  executive  and  legiflative  officers,  bodies^ 
end  powers,    (liall  continue  in  full  force,  in  the  enjoyment  and 
exercife  of  all  their  truils,    employment^,    and  authority,     until 
the  general  court,  and  the  fupremc  and  executive  officers  *  under 
this  conilitution,  are  defignated  and  inveficd  with  their  relpeftive 
troiU,  powers,  and  authority. 

FROVISION    fO%   HEVISAL* 

In  order  the  more  efFedhially  to  adhere  to  the  principles  of  this 
conflitution,  and  to  corre£t  thofi?  violations  which  by  any  means^ 
may  be  made  therein,  as  well  as  to  form  fuch  alterations  as  from  ex- 
perience  (hall  be  found  n?ce(rary,  the  general  court  which  (hall  be  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thoufand  feven  hundred  and  ninety- five, 
ihall  i(rue  precepts  to  the  f^le£t  men  of  the  feveral  towns,  and  to  the 
pil^iTors  of  the  unincorporated  plantations,  directing  them  to  convene 
the  qualified  voters  of  their  refpe6tive  towns  and  plantations^  for  th0 
purpofe  of  collecting  their  fentlments  on  the  neceflity  or  expediency 
of  reviling  the  conftituti^n,  in  order  to  amendments. 

And  if  it  (hall  appear  by  the  returns  made,  that  two^thirds  of  the 
qualified  voters  throughout  the  State,  who  (liall  alTemble  and  vote  in 
confcquence  of  the  faid  precept,  are  in  favour  of  fuch  revifion  and 
^njcndment,  the  general  court  (hall  ilTue  precepts,  or  dire£l  them  to 
^  ifeed  froip  the  fecretary's  office  to  the  feveral  towns,  to  cleft  de-. 
Agates  to  meet  in  CQnvention  for  the  purpofe  aforefaid. 


2IO  GENERAL    DESCRIPTIOK9   &C. 

The  {aid  delegates  to  be  chofen  in  the  fame  manner  and  pro 
tion  as  their  reprei'entatives  in  the  fecond  branch  of  the  le^fla 
are  by  this  confUtutio|i  to  be  chofen. 

CONCLUSION. 

This  form  of  goyeramcnt  (liall  be  enrolled  on  parchment^ 
depofited  in  the  fecretary's  office,  and  be  a  part  of  the  laws  oi 
land  ;  and  printed  copies  thereof  ihall  be  prefixed  to  the  book  ( 
taining  the  lavvis  of  this  Commonwealth,  in  all  future  editioo 
the  faid  laws.^ 

*  Thofe  who  wi(h  fqr  a  jnore  miniate  l^iftorical  account  of  the  rife  and  progn 
this  State,  are  referred  to  Hutchinfon's  Hi^ory  of  Maifachufctts^-Minot's  Hlfto 
the  Jnfurredion  in  Maflacl\juretts — The  Publications  of  the  Hiftorical  Society,  i 
American  Apollo — Hazard's  Hiftorical  Colloftions^^Chalmer's  Political  Asnalsi 
Qough's  Hi^pry  of  the  People  called  Quakers. 


DISTKi 


(  "I  ) 


DISTRICT  OF 


MAINE, 


SfiLONGiNG  to  MASSACttUSETTl 


SITUATION,  EXTENt,  AJJD  BOUNDARIESi 

HIS  province,  or  difiridt,  is  (ituatcd  betweea  43°  and  48^  north 
]de,  and  4®  and  9^  eall  longitude  from 'Philadelphia ;  it  i^abouf 
hundred  and  feventy  miles  in  length,  and  about  one  hundred 
Aventy«-five  miles  in  breadth.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by 
ir  Canada,  from  which  it  it  feparated  by  the  high  lands.  On  the 
>y  a  river  called  St.  Croix,  and  a  line  drawn  due  north  from  the 
e  of  the  fald  river  to  the  high  lands  before  mentioned,  which  fe- 
es it  from  the  province  of  New^Brunfwick  j  but  what  rivet  is 
-ed  to  under  the  name  of  St.  Croix,  in  the  treaty  of  1783) 
n  laid  the  foundation  of  this  boundary  line,  is  at  prefent  a  fub* 
tt'  difpute  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States.  The 
:h,  according  to  their  mode  of  taking  poifeflion,  always  fixed  a 
in  eveiy  river  they  came  to;  Almoft  every  river  on  the  coaft 
difcovered,  has,  therefbrey  in  turn  been  called  La  Riviere  de  St« 
jc.  ■     . 

:icre  are  three  rivers  that  empty  themfelves  into  the  bay  of  Faila- 
laddy,  the  eaftemmoft  always  called  by  the  native  Indian^;,  and 
ch^  St.  Croix,  and  the  middle  one  Schoodiac.  Before  the  com^ 
:ement  of  the  late  war.  Governor  Barnard  fent  Mr.  Mitchell,  a 
iyor,  and  feveral  others,  to  explore  the  bay  of  PaiTarnaquaddy, 
lamine  the  natives,  and  to  find  out  which  was  the  true  river  St. 
X.  They  did  accordingly,  and  reported  it  to  be  the  eaflernmoft 
r,  and  returned  cortefpondent  plans  of  their  furvey.  At  the 
ling  of  the  treaty,  of  peace,  the  commi^ners  had  MitcheU-« 
«.$  and  in  fixing  the  boundary  between  that  part  of  Nova  Scotia, 
tailed  New-Brunfwicky  and  the  CotnmonwealKh  of  Maflachufetts, 

E  e  a  they 


i 


212  GENERAL    DESCRiJ^TION 

they  coniidercd  it  to  be  the  river  laid  down  by  him.  After  the  ptt^ 
the  Britifli  fubje^s  of  Nova  Scotia  took  poifelRon  of  all  the  lands  be* 
t<veen  St.  Croix  and  Schoodiac  rivers,  which  tra6t  is  faid  to  be  ncarV 
as  large  as  the  State  of  New-Hampfliire,  and  now  hold'pofleffio&c 
the  fame,  aflerting  that  Schoodiac  is  the  true  St.  Croix ;  they  ^l 
claim  all  the  iflands  in  the  bay  of  PafTamaquaddy,  although  fevcral  < 
them  lie  feveral  miles  weft  of  the  river  which  theyxall  theboundar 
Thus  the  provinci  of  Maine  is,  for  the  prefent,  abridged  of  a  ve 
large  portion  of  its  territory,  to  which  it  appears,  by  the  treaty  of  pea 
between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States,  to  be  entitled.  It 
bounded  on  the  fouth  by  the  Atlantic  ocean,  and  on  the  welt  by  t 
State  of  New-Hampihire. 

The  0^  province  of  Maine  (included  in  the  above  limits) 
bounded  on  the  weft  by  New-Hamp(hire,  fouth  by  the  Atlantic  occ 
and  noitli  and  north*eaft^by  the  land,  called  io  fome'maps  Sagai 
hock.  It  wasfiippofed  at  the  time  of  its  being  made  a  province,  to  h: 
been  one  bundled  and  twenty' miles  fquare  ;  but  by  a  fettlemeht 
the  line,  in  17379  on*  the  part,  or  fide  adjoining  NeW-^Hampfhii 
the  foniiof  the  Is^bd  wias  reduced  from  a  fquare  to  that  of  a  diamon 

AIR  AND  CLIMATE. 

The  climate  does  hot  materially  differ  from  the  reft  of  New-£!)j 
land.  The  weather  k  more  regular  in  the  winter,  which  ufaall 
lafts  with|fevcrity,:  from  the  middle  of  December  to  the  liatter  end  < 
March ;  during  this  time  the  pOQds  and  frefti  water  riven  are  padab 
on  the  ice,  and  ileighing  continues  uninterrupted  by  thaws,  whii 
aie  common  in  the  three  fouthern  New-England  States.  Althouj 
vcg^'tation  in  the  fpring  commences  earlier  in  thofe  States  than 
this  cfiftri^,  yet  here  it  is  much  more  rapid.  The  elevation  of  t! 
lands  in  general — the  purity  of  the  air,  which  is  rendisred  fwcet  ai 
falubriaiis  by  the  balfamic  qualities  of  many  of  the  forcft  treiss— < 
limpid  ft\eanis,  both  large  and  fmall,  which  abundantly  water  tl 
country,  ^nd  the  regularity  of  the  weather,  all  unite  to  rendof  tl 
pne  of  the  Ijealthieft  countries  in  the  world. 

FACE  OF  THE  COUNTRY,    &c. 

:  The  diflrifl:  vf  Maine,  though  an  elevatedltra6t  of  country,  cam] 
be~<alledinQK>untainou8  5  it  has  a  fea  coaft  of  abotit  two  hundred  ai 
^ty  miles,  in  which  dtftance, there  are  an  abundance  oE  £ife  81 
W»modious  harbotics^  befides' which  there  is  7^  fecuritjr  ghw 

Aav% 


OF   MAINE.  2IJ 

tiivipdDny  on  fome  part  of  the  coaft,  by  tK^bat  is  called  the  /»- 
laid  paJlagB*  Almoft  the  whole  coaft  is  lined  with  iilands,  among 
which  veflels  may  generally  anchor  with  fafety. 

The  principal  bays   are,    PaiTamaquaddyi    Machias,    Penobfcot, 
Cafco,  and  Wells.    Of  thefe,  Penobfcot  and  Cafco  are  the  moft  re- 
markable.   Both  are  full  of  iflands,  fome  of  which  are  large  enougI| 
for  townfliips.    Long-Ifland,  in  the  center  of  Penobfcot  bay,  is  fif- 
teen miles  in  length,  and  from  two  to  three  in  breadth,  and  forms 
an  incorporated  townfhip,  by  the  name  of  Ifleborongh,  containing 
about  four  hundred  inhabitants.   On  a  fine  peninfula  on  the  eaft  fide 
of  the  bay  the  Britifli  built  a  fort  and  made  a  fettlement,  which  if 
now  the  ihire  town  in  the  county  of  Hancock.     The  points  of  Cafco 
bay  are,  Cape  Small  Point  on  the  eaft,  and  Cape  Elizabeth  on  the 
veil.    This  bay  is  about  twenty-five  miles  in  width,  and  fourteen  in 
length,  forming  a  nwft  excellent  harbour  for  velTels  of  any  burden, 
^d  interfperfed  with  a  multitude  of  iflands,    fome  of  which  are 
nearly  large  enough  for  townfhips.    Wells'  bay  lies  between  Cape 
Porpoiie  and  Cape  Neddock. 

The  whole  interior  part  of  the  country  is  watered  by  many  large 

and  fmall  rivers  ;   the  principal  are  the  following,  as  you  proceed 

from  eaft  to  weft.     St.  Croix,  a  fhort  river,  ifTuing  from  a  large  pond 

»tt  the  vicinity  of  St  John's  river,  remarkable  only  for  its  forming  a 

part  of  the  eaftern  boundary  of  the  United  States.    Next  is  Paffama- 

quaddy  river,  which,  with  the  Schoodiac  from  the  weft,  falls  by  one 

'^'outh  into  PaiTamaquaddy   bay.      Oppoiite  Mount  Defert  Ifland; 

'"'bich  is  about  fifteen  miles  long,  and  twelve  broad.  Union  river 

Optics  into  a  large  bay.    A  (hort  diftance  weft  is  the  noble  Penob- 

^^^9  wliich  rifes  in  two  branches  from  the  high  lands ;  of  this  we 

oavQ  already  fpoken,  as  we  have  alfo  of  the  Kennebeck,  Atnerif- 

^^'Sgin,    and  the  Saco,*  which  likcwife  flow  through  this  diftriA. 

^^  ^he  falls  of  the  latter,  which  are  about  fix  miles  from  the  fea,  the 

'^^^^  is  broken  by  Indian  Ifland,  over  which  is  the  poft  road,  and 

bridge  is  thrown  over  each  of  the  branches.    A  number  of  rtiills 

creded  here,  to  which  logs  are  floated  from  forty  and  fifty  miles 

,  and  vefTels  can  come  quite  to  the  mills  to  take  in  the  lumber. 

^^(*  million  feet  of  pine  boards  were  annually  fawed  at  thefe  mills 

^*^»*e  the  war.    Biddefbrd  and  Pepperhill  borough  lie  on  either  fide 

^^  mouth  of  this  river.    Moufom,  York,  .and  Cape  Neddock 

rivers, 


214  GENERAL    DESCRIPTJOM 

rivers,  in  the  oornity  «f  York,  are  ihort  and  xnconfiderable  ffiroliUv 
Shcfpfcut  is  a  river  oavigabie  for  twenty  or  thirty  miles,  and  emp* 
ties  itfelf  into  the  ocean  a  little  to  the  eaftwacd  of  the  Kenndxck* 
On  this  river.is  the  important  port  of  Wifeaffet,  in  the  townflup.of 
Pownalborough.  ' 

4  Stevens's  river  heads  within  a  miJe  of  Merry  Meeting  Bay,  a  com* 
munication  with  which  has  lately  been  opened  by  means  of  a  caoaL 
Cufiens  river  is  between  Freeport  and  North  Yarmouth.     Royals 
river  empties  itfelf  into  the  fea  at  North  Yarmouth.    Prcfumfci 
river  meets  the  iea  at  Falmouth ;  it  is  fed  by  a  lake  called  Sebacool 
fitnated  at  about  eighteen  miles  N.  W.  of  Portland,  and  connefteczzzi 
with  Long  Pond  on  the.N.  W.  by  Sungo  river.  The  whole  extent  <^  :i 
thefe  waters  is  nearly  thirty  miles  in  a  N.  W.  and  S.  £•  dire^ioi^   • 
Another  river  called  Nonfucb,  paifes  to  the  fea  through  Scarborougt^; 
this  river  receives  its  name  from  its  extraordinary  freihets ;    indeecS., 
the  whole  of  this  diflrid  is  beautifully  interfe£ted  and  adorned  wi^li 
fin^l  lakes,   rivers,  &c.  which  render  it  an  eligible  fituation  co 
the  farmer  and  manufa^rer. 

SOIL,    PRODUCTIONS,   &c* 

A  great  portion  of  the  lands  are  arable,  and  exceedingly  fertiK^ 
particularly  between  Penobfcot  and  Kennebcck  riven.    On  foixrsc 
part  of  the  fea  coafts,  however,  the  lands  are  but  indifferent ;  b"«Jt 
this  defeat  might  eaiiiy  be  remedied,  by  manuring  them  with  a  marixrs^ 
vegetable,  caljed  rock  weed,  which  grows  on  the  rocks  between  hi^^^ 
and  low  water  mark,  all  along  the  (hores.    It  makes  amofl  excelle  ^^^ 
manure,  and  the  fupply  is  immenfe.  It  generally  grows  in  this  difiri^^ 
qa  all  the  fhores  that  are  wafhed  by  the  fea  :  and  the  breadth  of  tfr^^ 
border  is  in  proportion  to  the  height  the  tide  rifes,  wluch,  in  tl 
cadern  part  of  the  diflrld,   is  nearly  thirty  fieet.    It  it  eilimated  ^ 
there  are  four  thoufand  acres  of  this  rock  weed  on  this  coaft,  and  th 
^acb  acre  will  produce  annually  twenty  loads,  making  in  the  who 
eighty  thoufahd  lo^tls  of  the  bcft  manure,  ten  loads  of  which  fpn 
upon  an  acre  pre  reckoned  fufficicnt  for  three  years.    The  count 
has  a  large  proportion  of  dead  fwamps  andfunken  lands,  which 
eaiiiy  drained,  and  leave  a  rich,  fat  foil.    The  interior  country 
univeriklly  reprefeoted  as  being  of  an  excellent  foil,  well  adapce 
both  for  tillage  and  pafturc.— f-Thc  lands  in  general  are  eafily  clear< 
having  but  little  undei-brufli. 


i 


OF   MAINE.  2f^ 

liidiilriA may  Aaturally  be  confidered in tliree diWiions-VThe 
omprehending  the  trad  lying  eafb  of  Penobfbot  river,  of  about 
niliion  five  hundred  thouiand  acres — ^The  fecond,  and  beft 
of  about  four  million  acres,  lying  between  Penobfcot  and 
:beck  rivers*— The  third,  which  was  firft  fettled,  and  is  the  rooft 
ous  at  prefent,  wefi:  of  Kennebedc  river,  containing  alio  about 
niliion  acres. 

le  foil  of  this  country,  however,  in  genera!;  where  it  is  properly 
to  receive  the  feed,  appears  to  be  very  friendly  to  the  growth 
eat,  rye,  barley,  oats,  peas,  hemp,  and  flax,  as  well  as  to  the 
idion  of  almoft  all  kinds  of  culinary  roots  and  plants,  EngUfli 
and  Indian  com,  provided  the  feed  be  procured  from  a  more 
ern  climate.  Hops  are  the  fpontaneous  growth  of  this  coun* 
It  is  3^t  problematical,  whether,  apple  and  other  fruit  trees 
iouriih  in  the  northern  and  eailer^  parts  of  this  diftri£t.  It  is 
however,  that  a  century  ago,  there  were  good  orchai*ds  within 
ounty  of  Wafliington,  about  the  bay  of  Paflamaquaddy,  which 
;  dcftroyed  after  Colonel  Church  broke  up  the  French  fettlements 
at  place.  From  fome  experimements  of  the  prcfent  inhabitants, 
>refumption  is  rather  againft  the  growth  of  fruit  trees.  In  the 
ties  of  York  and  Cumberland,  fruit  is  as  plenty  as  in  New* 
pihire.  This  country  is  equally  as  good  for  grazing  as  for  til* 
and  large  flocks  of  neat  cattle  may  be  fed  both  in  fummer  and 
tr. 

ht  natural  produdions  confifl  of  white  pine  and  fpruce  trees  in 
quantities,  fuitable  for  mads,  boards,  and  (kingles  t  the  white 
is,  perhaps,  of  all  pthers,  the  moft  ufeful  and  important ;  no 
I  will  fupply  its  place  with  advantage' in  building.    Maple,  beech, 
e  and  grey  oak,  and  yellow  birch,  are  the  growth  of  this  country, 
birch  is  a  large  fightly  tree,  and  is  ufed  for  cabinet  work,  and  re- 
:s  a  polifli  little  inferior  to  mahogany.    The  outer  bark,  which 
ifts  of  a  great  number  of  layers,  when  feparated,  is  asfmooth  and 
as  the  bed  writing  paper,  and  in  fome  cafes  is  a  tolerable  fubftitute 
t.  The  low  lands  produce  fir,  but'  k  is  unfit  for  timber,  and  of  but 
:  worth  for  fuel,^  it  however  yields  a  balfam  thatis  highly  prized, 
s  baliam,  is  contained  in  fmall  protuberances  like  bliikrs,  under  ^ 
(hiooth  bark  of  the  tree,  which  is  an  evergreen,  refembling  the 
:e,  but  very  tapering,  and  neither  tall  nor  large, 
fountain  and  bog  iron  are  found  in  feveral  parts  of  this  diftri£^, 
fome  works  have  been  ereded  for  its  manufai^re ;  there  has 
«  fpecies  of  (lone  l^en  found  at  Lebanon  in  the  county  of  York, 

that 


2l6  GENERAL    DESCRIPTIOK 

that  yields  coi^peras  and  fulphur,  and  there  is  no  doubt  hrJttiuitSf^ 
willbiing  other  miaerab  to  light. 

Under  this  articki  the  following  remarks  of  General  LzvcoursC^ 
rit  a  place : 

**  From  the  different  rivers^  in  this  ealbm  country,  waters  m^l 
be  drawn  for  mills,  ^nd  9II  water  work  ;  beddes,  many  are  tt» 
advantages  which  arife  to  a  country,  through  which  flreams  of  watc 
are  fo  liberally  interfperfed,  as  they  are  in  this ;  and  efpecially  whe 
they  abound,  as  many  of  tbefe  do,  with  fiih  of  different  kinds 
among  them  are  the  falmon,  ibad,  alewife,  and  others,  which  fee 
the  quiet  waters  of  the  lakes,  as  the  only  places  in  which  they  ca 
with  iafety  lodge  their  fpawn.  From  this  fource,  the  inland  coumr 
may  draw  a  fupply  of  fifli,  equal  to  all  their  demands  (if  they  are  n< 
interrupted  in  their  palTage)  which  are  rendered  peculiarly  valuabl 
as  their  annual  return  is  at  a  feafon  of  the  year  when  moft  needed,  v 
V^hen  they  can  be  cured  with  a  very  little  fait ;  fo  that  a  long  ai 
free  ufe  of  them  will  not  be  injurious  to  the  health  of  the  inhab 
tants.  The  cert^ty  of  the  fupply  adds  to  its  valuer  Thefe  fi£ 
as  is  fuppofed,  and  of  which  therd  cannot,  I  think,  be  a  doubt^  n 
turn  to  the  fame  waters  yearly,  in  which  they  were  fpawned,  unle: 
fome  natural  obftru^ion  be  thrown  in  their  way.  Whilfl  th 
people  inland  may  be  fupplied  with  thefe  fifh,  the  inhabitants  c 
the  fea  coall  may  be  fupplied  with  the  cod  and  other  ground  iifli 
which  are  allured  quite  into  their  harbours,  in  purfuit  of  the  rive, 
fifli,  and  may  be  taken  with  the  greateft  eafe,  as  no  other  craft  is 
oeceiTary  in  many  places  than  a  common  canoe.  Great  advantages 
arife  alfo  to  thofe  who  live  on  the  fea  coaft,  from  the  ihell-fifh,  viz 
the  lobfler,  the  fcollop,  and  the  clam*  ^  To  thefe  advantages  may  b( 
added,  thofe  which  arife  from  the  forefts  being  filled  with  the  moof( 
and  deer,  and  the  waters  being  covered  with  wild  fowls  of  diiferen 
Jtinds." 

CIVIL  DIVISIONS  AND  CHIEF  TOWNS. 

This  diftridt  is  divided  into  five  counties,  viz.  York,  Cumber 
land,  Lincoln,  Hancock,  and  Waihington,  containing 
towns,  the  chief  of  which  are  York,  the  capital  of  the  couiity  of  th 
fame  name ;  Portland,  the  capital  of  Cumberland  county ;  Pownal 
borough,  Hallowell,  and  Walderborough,  in  Lincoln  county ;  am 
]^enohfcot  and  Machias^  the  capitals  of  Wafhington  and  Haoeocl 
counties* 

3  fOaTJLAKIU 


fel 


tsco, 


PJP   MAIN£«  .  2iy 


»• 

-i  7 


PORTLAND. 

This  is  the  capital  of  this  diftrift ;  it  is  fituated  on  a  promontojCy 
inCafco  bay,  and  was  formerly  a  part  of  Falmouth.  In  Jul>s  17W, 
-this  part. of  .the  town  being  the  moft  populous  and  mercantile,  md 
fituatcd  on  the  harbour,  together  with  the  iflands  which  belong  to 
Falmout^  wa§  incorporated  by  the  name  of  Portland.  It  has  a  mod 
excellent,  fafe,  and  capacious  harbour,  which  is  feldom  or  never 
completely  frozen  over.  It  is  near  the  main  ocean,  and  is  eafy  of 
^Vj^  -  accefs.  The  inhabitants  carry  on  a  confiderable  foreign  trade,  build 
o-a  ^'P'»  3'^d  are  largely  concerned  in  the  fifliery.  It  is  one  of  the  moft 
-  art:  ^rivmg  commercial  towns  in  the  Commonwealth  of  Maflachufetts, 
"ii-jij  Although  three-fourths  qf  it  was  laid  in  allies  by  the  Britifti  fleet  m 
lei,i  ^77S»  it  has  fince  been  entirely  rebuilt,  and  contains  among  its 
^rri  public  buildings  three  churches,  two  for  Congrcgationalifts,  and  one 
inJ/orEpifcopalians  ;  and  ahandfome  court-houfe. 
efciif  A  light-houfe  has  lately  been  erefted  on  a  point  of  land  called 
iibr. I  Wtlarid  Head,  at  the  entrance  of  the  harbour.  It  is  a  done  edifice, 
^cventy-two  feet  high,  exclufiye  of  the  lanthorn. 

YORl^. 

^ork  is  feventy-four  miles  N.  E.  from   Boflon,  and  nine  from 

*®^tfmouth.     It  is  divided  into  two  parilhes  of  Congregationalifts. 

J^orl^  river,  which  is  navigable  for  vefTels  of  two  hundred  and  fifty 

tons  fix  or  feven  miles  from  the  fea,  pafles  through  the  town.     Over 

this  river,  about  a  mile  from  the  fea,  a  wooden  bridge  was  built  in 

*7^i,  two  hundred  and  feventy  feet  long,  exclufive  of  the  wharfs  at 

^*^^h  ead<  ^hich  reach  to  the  channel,  and  twenty-five  feet  wide. 

^He  Ijridge  {lands  on  thirteen  piers ;  and  was  planned  and  conducted 

^"'y  Major  Samuel  Sewall,  an  ingenious  mechanic,  and  a  native  of 

the  town.     The  model  of  Charles  river  bridge  was  taken  from  this, 

^^d  was  built  under  the  fuperintendance  of  the  fame  gentleman.     It 

*3s  alfo  ferved  as  the  model  of  Maiden  and  Beverly  bridges,  and  has 

^en  imitated,  even  in  Europe,  by  thofe  ingenious  American  artids, 

^'^eflieuTs  Coxe  and  Thompfon. 
^  nis  town  was  fettled  as  early  as  1630,  and  was  then  called  Aga- 
nticus,  from  a  remarkable  high  hill  in  it  of  that  name,  a  noted 

'^ark  for  mariners. 
^°^-  II.  F  f  About 


2l8  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

About  the  year  1640,  a  great  part  of  this  town  was  incorpon  1 
by  Sir  Fcrdinando  Gorges,  by  the  name  of  Georgiana.  He  0 
pointed  a  mayor  and  aldermen,  and  made  it  a  free  port.  In  165 
when  it  fclj  under  the  jurifdi£lion  of  Maffachufetts,  itaflumcdc 
SUme  of  York,  which  it  has  fince  retained. 

HallowcU  is  a  very  flourifl^ng  town,  fituatcd  in  latitude  44?  4. 
at  the  head  of  the  tide  waters  on  Kennebeck  river.  Pownalboroug 
iituated  on  Sbecpfcut  riyer,  with  a  good  po^j.  Penobfcot,  a 
Machias,  are  alfo  towns  of  confiderable  and  increafing  importan 
Bangor,  iituated  at  the  head  of  the  tide  waters  on  Penobfcot  ri\ 
latitude  45**,'  it  is  thought,  will  in  a  few  years  become  a  pjace  of  r 
confiderable  trade.  The  other  towns  of  confideration  are,  Kitte 
fituated  on  the  eaft  fide  of  the  Pifcataqua  river,  which  carries  c 
good  trade  in  ihip  building;  Wells,  Biddeford,  Berwick,  No 
Yarjiaouih,  apd  Waldoborough, 

POPULATION. 

According  to  the  ccnfus  taken  in  1790,  the  population  of  this 
trid  v^as  as  follows ; 


YOl 


OP   MAINE. 


ai9 


YORK  COUNTY. 


TOWNS. 


3rd 

ellborough 

Fans 

Dflepee 

k 

igh 
igton 
field 
fborough 


c 
'I 


3250 
2900 
3070 
1458 
1018 

607 
662 

3«94 
1275 

1329 

262 

65s 
3" 


tOWNS. 


Limrick 

Waterborough 

Coxall 

Sandford  '• 

Frylburgh 

Brownfield  and  Sun- 
cook 

Waterford  and  Pene- 
cook 

New-Andovcr, 

Hiram,  and 

Porterfield 

Buxton 


• ' 


} 
} 


965 

-775 
1802 

547 

250 

250 

214 
^564 


28821 


CUMBERLAlSn)  COUNTY. 


id 

m 

ir6ugh 

nth         rf 

ilizabeth 

jloucefter 

. 
am        • 
Id 

►ndtown 
)wn 
own         • 


2240 
2244 
223s 

^99^ 
1355 
^358 

938 
197 

345 

3*9 
290 


Slandifh 

Butterfield 

Ruflield 

Turner 

Bucktown 

Shepherdfield    • 

Bakerflown 

North-Yarmouth 

Freeport 

Durham         . 

Brunfwick 

HarpfweU 


i 


LINCOLN  COUNTY. 


Iborougb 

^ich 

etown 


am 
yay 
mb 
:aftle 

fc-ell 


aoS5 

797 

1333 

949 
826 

997 

855 
896 

605 

1194 

F  f 


• . 


Bowdoinham 

Nobleborough 

Waldoborough 

Briftol 

Cufhing 

Warren 

Thomafton 

Mednncook 

Union 

Winthrop 


455 
S16 

1210 

1718 

942 

646 

801 

322 

200 

1240 


iid 


fcENERAL    DESCRIPTION 
LINCOLN.  COUNTY,  CONTINUED; 


TOWNS. 


Balltown 
Bowdoin 
Vaffalborough 
JoQe8's-?Iantatl6n 
Lewiilown 
Fairfield 
Prefcott  and   Carr's  1 
Plantation  J 

Sandy-River,  N?.  i. 
Sandy-River,  N*'.  2. 
Sandy-River,  N^.  3. 
Hancock        .  * 

Winflow 
Canaan  ; 


TOWNS, 


1072 

983 

I140 
262 

492 

^59 
130 

494 

350 
278 

779 
454 


Nonidgvvalk 

Titcon.b 

Karatuiik 

Sandy-River,  N°.  4. 

Little-RJvcr 

So^ithtown         • 

Wales 

Green 

New-Sandwich 

Wafliington 

Sterling 

Rockvmekoe 

Littleborough 


2 

3' 
( 

5' 
4 
6 

2 
6 
I 
I 
•  2 

299 


HANCOCK  COUNTY. 


Penobfcot 
Vinalhaven 
Deer-Ifle 
Eaftern-Kiver 
Buckftown 
Orrington 
Edellon 
Condulkeeg 
Frankfort 
Mopnt-Defert 
Goldlborough 
,  Sullivan 


Trenton 

Townfliip,  N^, 

Bluehill 

Sedgwick 

Belftft 

Ducktrap 

Canaan  . 

Barretftown 

Camden 

Iftefboroiigh 

Orphan-Illand 

SihalUIflands 


6. 


3 
2 

2 

S 
2 

2 

I 

I 

3 

3 
I 

9I 


WASHINGTON  COUNTY. 


/-*. 


Plan  tat  ions  eail  of 
Machias, 
No. 
No. 
No. 
No. 
No. 
No. 
No.  10 
No.  II 
No.  tOt 
No.  13 


I 

£ 

4 

5 
8 

9 


*/ 


iMMMiaaMii 


«mI. 


Plantations  weft  of 
Machias, 

No.    4         .          .  2 

No.    5         .          .  I 

No.    6         .          .  2< 

No.  II         .          .  i 
No.  12 

No.   13             .               •  2J 

No.  a4&         .         •  i; 

Machias                        .  81 

Buckharbour                •  ( 

27( 


.if.iw  Vja»il 


.mU 


OF    MAINE*  '  ait 

SUMMARY  OF  POPULATION. 


>rk  County        .  •  ; 

imberiand  do.  %  » 

icoln  do.  •  ; 

mcock  do,  *  • 


ifhiogton  do. 


o—  '-— 


prefent  number  of  inhabitants  in  this  diflri&  »•  about  aii 
thoufand. 

RELIGION  AND  CHARACTER. 

t  are  no  peculiar  features  in  the  chara^er  of  the  people  of 
ri(Et,  to  diilinguiih  thein  frodi  their  neighix)ucs  in  New- 
ire  and  Vermont.  Placed  aa  they  are  in  Hke  circumfiances, 
like  them,  a  brave,  hardy,  enterprifing,  induftrious^  hofpi-» 
jple.  Epifcopacy  was  eftabliflied  by  their  firft  charter,  but 
;  prevailing  religious  denominations  are  Congregational iila 
tifls,  who  are  candid,  tolerant,  and  cathoHc  towardfi  thofe  of 
^rfuaHons ;  there  are  a  few  Epifcopalians  and  Rornan  Ca<^ 

TRADE  AND  MANUFACTURES. 

the  firft  fettlement  of  Maine,  Until  the  year  1774  or  177$, 
bitants  generally  followed  the  liimbef  trade  to  the  neglect  of 
ire.  This  afforded  an  immediate  profit.  Large  quantities 
and  other  grain  were  annually  importied  from  Bofhm  arid. 
aces,  without  which  it  was  fuppofed  the  inhabitants  couldinbt 
•fifted.  But  the  late  war,  by  rendering  thefc  reiburces  pre* 
put  the  inhabitants  upon  their  true  intereft,  i.  c.  the  cul- 
3N  OF  THEIR  LANDS.  They  now  raife  a  fufficient  quantity 
•  own  confumption ;  though  too  many  are  (Kll  more  fond  of 
:han  of  the  plough.  Their  wool  arid  flax  are  very  good;— 
:s  lately  been  tried  with  great  fuccefs.  Almoit  every  family" 
ture  wool  and  fiax  into  cloth,  and  make  farming  utenfils  of 
id  for  their  own  ufe. 

xports  of  this  country  are  lumber  of  various  kinds,' fuch  as 
'/»/V^  of  late,  botvever,  have  become /carce ;  white  pine  boards^ 
)er,  and  every  fpecies  of  fplit  lumber  manufadtured  from  pine 
J  thefe  are  exported  from  the  different  ports  in  immenfe 

quantities 


i2«  CENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

(quantities.    Dried  fi(h  furnifhes  likewifc  another  very  capital  arti< 
of  the  exports  of  this  difhidl. 

LEARNING  AND  LITERATURE. 

.  frhc  creation  of  a  college  near  Cafco  bay  was  long  fince  contef 

plated  and  determined  on,  and  the  legiflature  have  proceeded  fo  i 

in  the  biifincfs  as  to  determine  oh  the  principles  of  fuch  an  eflablii 

ment.     Academies  in  Hallowell,  Berwick,  Fryeburg,  and  Machi: 

have  been  incorporated  by  the  legiflature,  and  endowed  with  han 

fcme  grants  of  the  public  land*.     And  it  it  but  juft  to  obferte,  tb 

town-fchOoIs  are  very  generally  maintained  in  moft  of  the  tow 

that  are  able  to  defray  the  expenfe,   and  a  fpiiit  of  improvement 

increafing. 

CONSTITUTION. 

At  the  time  of  the  Ubited  States  becoming  indepen'dent,  this  c 
tri6i  was  in  fome  meafure  incor]k)rated  with  MaiTachufetts,  by  virl 
oif  a  charter  derived  from  King  Williiam  ahd  Queen  Maiy ;  it  has 
ytt  continued  nearly  the  fame  conne6tion,  its  tbnftitution  is  therefc 
the  fame  with  that  State.  Th^  feparation  of  this  diftrift,  and  its  en 
Vion  into  an  independent  State,  have  been  fubjeifts  publicly  difcufl 
by  the  lAhabitants  in  town  meetings,  by  appoiiltment  of  the  legif 
turc.  Such  is  the  rapid  fettlement  and  progrefs  of  this  country,  tl 
the  period  when  this  contemplated  feparation  will  take  place, 
probabl-y  not  far  difiant. 

INDIANS. 

Thexeitaains  of  the  Fenobfcot  tribe  are  the  only  Indianswho  take 
their  refidence  in  this  diflri^.  They  confift  of  about  one  hundred  fai 
iiey,  and  live  together  in  regular  fociety  at  Indian  Old  Town,  whicl 
fituated  on  an  ifland  of  about  two  hundred  acres,  in  Fenobfcot  riv 
juft  above  the  Great  Falls.  They  lare  Roman  Catholics,  and  hav 
priefty  who  refides  among  them,  and  adminifters  the  ordinan< 
They  have  a  decent  houfe  for  public  worfiiip,  with  a  bell^  and  a 
ther  building,  where  they  meet  to  tranfa£t  the  public  bufinefs 
their  tribe.  In  their  aflemblies  all  things  are  managed  with 
greateft  order  and  decorum.  The  Sachems  form  the  legiflative  2 
executive  authority  of  tlie  tribe  ;  though  the  heads  of  all  the  fami 
^re  invited  to  be  prefent  at  their  public  periodical  meetings.  1 
tribe  is  increafing,,  in  confequence  of  an  obligation  laid,  by  the  ! 
«hems^  on  the  young  people  to  marry  eaily. 

X 


OF    MAINE.  22J 

In  a  former  war,  this  tribe  lofl  their  lands ;  but  at  the  conunence- 
.jpcnt  of  the  laft  war,  the  Provincial  Congrefs  granted  them  all  the 
lands  from  the  head  of  the  tide  in  Fenobfcot  river,  included  in  lines 
<lrawn  fix  miles^  from  the  river  on  each  fide,  i.  c.  a  tradt  twelve 
miles  wide,  inteffedted  in  the  middle  by  the  river.  They,  however, 
coDfider  that  they  have  a  right  to  hunt  and  fifh  as  far  as  the  mouth  of 
the  hay  of  Fenobfcot  extendi.  This  was  their  original  right, 
in  oppofition  to  any  other  tribe,  and  they  now  occupy  it  undifturbed, 
and  we  hope  will  continue  lo  to  do,  till  tho  period  ihall  arrive  when 
mingled  with  the  reil  oif  the  inhabitants,  they  flxall  {qrtfk  but  one  £e« 
oeral  rnafs* 


PLAN- 


(     2*4    ) 


PLANTATIONS   OF 


RHODE-ISLAND     ana 

•  •  •> 

PROVIDENCE, 


SITUATION,  EXTENT,  AND  BOUNDARIES. 

JL  HE  State  known  by  this  name  lies  between  41*^  and  42®  nortl 
latitude  and  3°  and  4°  eaft  longitude  from  Philadelphia  ;  the  lengtl 
IS  about  fixty-eight  miles,  and  the  breadth  forty  miles  j  it  is  boundt( 
on  the  north  and  eaft  by  the  State  of  Maflachufetts,  on  the  fouth  b; 
the  Atlantic  ocean,  and  on  the  weft  by  the  State  of  Conne6ticut. 

AIR    AND    CLIMATE. 

This  is  as  healthful  a  country  as  any  part  of  North-America.  Tl: 
winters  in  the  maritime  parts  are  milder  than  in  the  inland  countrj 
the  air  being  foftened  by  a  fea  vapour,  which  alfo  enriches  the  foi 
The  fummers  are  delightful,  efpecially  on  Rhode-Ifland,  where  tl 
extreme  heats,  which  prevail  in  other  parts  of  America,  arc  allayi 
by  cool  an4  refrefliing  breezes  from  the  fea, 

FACE  OF  THE  COUNTRY,  SEA  COAST,  &c. 

Rhode-Ifland,  from  which  the  State  takes  half  its  name,  15  thi 
teen  miles  in  Jength ;  its  average  breadth  is  about  four  miles.     It 
divided  into  three  tdwnftlips,   Newport,  Portfmouth,  and  MiddL 
town.     This  ifland,  in  point  of  foil,  climate,  and  fituation,  may  I 
ranked  among  the  fineft  and  moft  charming  in  the  world.     In  i 
moft  flouriftiing  ftate  it  was  called  by  travellers  the  Eden  of  Americs 
but  the  change  which  the  ravages  of  war  and  a  decreafe  of  bufinc 
have  efFefted  is  great  and  melancholy.     Some  of  the  moft  ore 
mental  country  feats  were  deftroyed,  and  their  fine  gi'oves,  orchart^ 
and  fruit  trees,  wantonly  cut  down  :  and  the  gloom  of  its  prefe 
decayed  ftate  is  heightened  by  its  charming  natural  fituation,  a» 
by  refteding  upon  its  former  g-ory.     Providence,  in  many  parts, 

equal 


OF    RHODE-ISLAND.  225 

^Ually  pleafent,  the  whole  country  being  beautifully  variegated  and 
Plentifully  watered.. 

There  is  but  one  mountain  in  this  State,  this  is  in  the  town  of 
^rillol,  called  Mount  Hope,  or  (Ha up)  there  is  nothing  in  the  ap- 
P^arance  of  this  mount  to  claim  particular  attention.  Among  thp 
Elvers  the  following  deferve  particular  notice : 

Providence  and  Taunton  rivers,  both  of  which  fall  into  Karra- 
S^nfet  bay,  the  former  on  the  we{(,  the  latter  on  the  call  fide  of 
Rhode-Ifland.  Providence  river  rifcs  partly  in  the  MafTachufettSy 
and  is  navigable  as  far  as  Providence  for  (hips  of  nine  hundred  tons, 
thirty  miles  from  the  fea.  Taunton  river  is  navigable  for  fmall  vcf- 
fels  to  Taunton.    The  common  tides  rife  about  four  feet. 

Fall  river  is  fmall,  rifing  in  Freetown,  and  paffing  through  Tivcr* 
OQ.  The  line  between  the  States  of  MaiTachufetts  and  Rhode-Ifland, 
>afles  Fall  river  bridge,  Patuxet  river  rifes  in  Mafliapog  pond,  and 
v-e  miles  below  Providence  empties  into  Narraganfet  bay.  Pau- 
loTcet  river,  called  more  northerly  Blackftonc's  river,  empties  into 
ecikhonck  river,  four  miles  N.  N.  E.  from  Providence,  where  are 
falls  hereafter  defcribed,  over  which  is  a  bridge,  on  the  poft 
d  to  Bofton,  and  forty  miles  from  thence.  The  confluent  ftream 
^'^pties  into  Providence  river,  about  a  mile  below  WcybolTett,  or 
^^^  great  bridge.  Nafpatucket  river  falls  into  the  bay  about  one 
^ile  and  a  half  N.  W.  of  WcyboiTet  Inidge.  Mofhafluck  river  falls 
^^0  the  fame  bay,  three-fourths  of  a  mile  north  of  the  bridge. 
-  hefe  rivers  imited  form  Providence  river,  which,  a  few  miles  bc- 
^"^  the  town,  receives  the  name  of  Narraganfet  bay,  and  affords 
'^e  fiih,  oyfters,  and  lobfters,  in  great  plenty ;  the  bay  makes  up 
'^rn  fouth  to  north  between  the  main  land  on  the  eaft  and  wefl.  It 
^bofoms  many  fertile  iflands,  the  appearance  of  which  and  of  the 
'''cun:)jacent  countxy  in  the  fpring  and  funimer  feafons,  either  from 
^^  land  or  water,  is  extremely  beautiful  and  charming ;  the  princi- 
^^  of  thefe,  befides  Rhode-Ifland,  are  Canonnicut,  Prudence,  Pa- 
*^ce,  Hope,  Dyers  and  Hog  iflands.  The  firfl  of  thefe,  viz.  Ca- 
^^>.nicut  ifland,  lies  weft  of  Rhode-Ifland,  and  is  fix  miles  in 
^gth,  and  about  one  mile  in  breadth  ;  it  was  purchafed  of  the  In- 
^•is  in  1657,  and  incorporated  by  an  a6l  of  afTembly  by  the  name  of 
^  Ifland  of  Jameftown  in  1678. 

^^rudence  ifland  is  nearly  or  quite  as  large  as  Canonnicut|  aiid  lies 
"^.^th  of  it,  and  is  a  part  of  the  townfhip  of  Portlmouth, 

^OL.n.  C  g  Block 


aa6  General  description 

Block  ifland,  called  by  the  Indians  Maniifes,  is  tweotjr-one  ailef 
S.  S.  W,  from  Newport,  and  is  the  fouthernmoft  land  bclongjhgto 
the  State  ;  it  was  erected  into  a  townfliip,  by  the  name  of  Ne^ 
Shoreham,  in  1672.  The  inhabitants  of  this  ifland  were  formerly 
noted  for  making  good  cheefe ;  and  they  catch  confiderable  quantt- 
ties  6f  cod  firii  round  the  ledges  near  the  ifland.  ^ 

The  harbours  in  this  State  are,  Newport,  Prov^idence,  Wickford, 
I^atuxet,  Wairren,  and  Briftol,  all  of  which  are  advantageous,  and 
fevcral  of  them  commodious.    For  the  fa/ety  and  convenience  ol 
failing  into  Narraganfet  bay  and  the  harbour  of  l^ewport,  a  ligbt- 
houfe  was  erected  in  1749  on  Beavertail,  at  the  louth  end  of  Canon-f 
nicut  ifland ;  the  diameter  of  the  bafe  is  twenty-four  feet,  and  of 
the  top  thirteen  feet ;  the  height  from  the  groimd  to  the  top  of  the 
cornice  is  fifty  feet,  round  which  is  a  gallery,  and  within  that  Hand* 
the  lanthorn,  which  is  about  eleven  feet  high  and  eight  feet  in  dia- 
meter.    The  ground  the  light-houfe  ftands  on  is  about  twelve  feci 
above  the  furface  of  ^e  fca  at  higli  water« 

SOIL,  reODUCTlONS,  &c. 

'this  State,  generally  fpeaking,  is  a  country  for  pafturcy  and  no!  ^ 
for  grain  ;  in'  Rhode-Ifland  alone  thirty  or  forty  thousand  fheep  awf 
fed,  befides  neat  cattle  and  horfes,  and  a  like  proportion  in  many 
other  parts  of  the  State,  It  however  produces  corn,  rye^  barley, 
oats,  and  in  fonie  parts  wheat  fufficient  for  home  coniumption  ;  and 
the  various  kinds  of  grafTes,  fruits,  culinary  roots  and  plants  in 
grieat  abundance,  and  in  good  perfedtion,  and  cyder  is  made  for  ex- 
portation.  The  north-weftern  parts  of  the  State  arc  but  thinly  in- 
habited, ^^d  are  more  rocky  ahd  barren  than  the  other  part's.  The 
traft  of  country  lying  between  South-Kingfton  and  the  Conne6ticut 
line,  called  the  Narraganfet  country,  15  excellent  grazing  land^ 
and  is  inhabited  by  a  number  of  wealthy  farrtiers,  who  raife  fome 
of  the  €incfi  neat  cattle  in  New-England,  Weighihg  from  fixtden  to 
eighteen  hundred  weight.  They  keep  large  dairies,^  and  make  both 
butter  and  cheefe  of  the  bell  quality  ^nd  in  very  large  quantities  for 
Exportation.  Narraganfet  has  been  famed  for  an  excellent  breed  of 
pacing  horfes,  remarkable  for  their  fpeed  and  hardinefs,  and  for  en:» 
during  the  fatigues  of  a  journey ;  this  breed  of  horfei  has,  bow^ 
ever^  much  depreciated  of  late,  the  belt  mares  having  been  pur*** 
chafed  by  the  people  from  the  weAward* 


OF    RHODE-ISLAND.  227 

^  The  bowe!s  of  the  earth  in  this  State  offer  a  large  recompenfe  to 
fi^  induftrious  adventurer.     Iron  ore  is  found  in  great  plenty  in  fe- 
deral parts  of  the  State.     The  iron  works  on  Patuxet  river,  twelve 
Dulles  from  Providence,  are  fupplied  with  ore  from  a  bed  four  mije« 
and  a  half  diftant,  which  lies  in  a  valley,  through  which  runs  a 
^rook ;  the  brook  is  turned  into  a  new  channel,  and  the  ore  pits  arc 
cleared  of  water  by  a  fteam  engine,  cpnflru6led  and  made  at  the  furr 
Dace,  by  and  -under  the  direction  of  the  late  Jofeph  Brov^n,  Efq.  of 
Providence,  which  continues  a  very  ufcfgl  monument  of  his  mechani- 
cal genius :  at  this  ore  bed  are  a  variety  of  ores,  curious  flones, 
^bres,  &c. 

At  Diamond-Hill,  in  the  county  of  Providence,  which  is  fo  called 
rom  its  fparkling  and  fliining  appearance,  there  are  a  variety  of  pc« 
iliar  Hones,  more  curious  than  at  prefent  they  appear  to  be  ufeful ; 
It  not  far  froni  this  hill,  in  the  townfliip  of  Cumberland,  is  a  cop- 
r  mine,  mixed  with  iron  ftrongly  impregnated  with  loadftpne,  of 
>ich  fome  large  pieces  have  been  found  in  the  neighbourhood  :  no 

•  thod  has  yet  been  difcovered  to  work  it  to  advantage,  or  rather, 

one  has  yet  been  found  with  fufficient  fpirit  to  engage  in  an  un- 
rtaking,  which,  though  it  might  be  attended  with  difficulty  at  firifij 
4ld  hardly  fail,  ultimately,  of  yielding  an  ample  reconipenfe. 
^n  abundance  of  Hmeftone  is  found  in  this  State,  particularly  iti 
?  county  of  Providence,  of  which  large  quantities  of  lime  are  made 
4  exported.  This  limeftone  is  of  different  colours,  and  is  the 
ic  marble,  of  the  white,  plain,  and  variegated  kinds  ^  it  takes  a  fine' 
lifh,  and  works  equal  to  any  in  America. 

TThere  are  feveral  mineral  fprings  in  this  State,  to  one  of  which," 
ar  Providence,  many  people  refort  to  bathe  and  drink  the  water.  " 
The  waters  of  this  State  are  equally  produ6live ;  in  the  rivers  and 
ys  arc  plenty  of  (heeps-head,  black-fifli,  herring,  (had,  lobfters,' 
^ers,  and  clams  ;  and  around  the  fhores  of  Rhode-Ifland,  befides 
^fe  already  mentioned,  are  cod,  halibut,  mackerel,  bafs,  haddock^ 

•  to  the^  amount  of  more  than  feventy  different  kinds,  fo  that  in 
'  leafons  of  fifti  the  markets  prefent  a  continual  fcene  of  buftle 
^  hurry.    Rhode-Ifland  is  indeed  coniidered  by  travellers  as  the 

t  lifli  market,  not  only  in  the  United  States,  but  in  the  world.* 

• .  * 

CIVIL  DI  VIS  JONS,  CHIEF  TOWNS,  &c 

t*his  State  is  divided  into  five  counties,  viz.  Newport,  Providence,-  . 

G  g  a  Wafliing-' 


228  GENERAL   DESCRIPTION" 

Wailiingtony  Briftol  and  Kent;  thefe  are  fubdivided  into  tiurt]rt(ywB 
ihips.    The  principal  towns  in  each  are  as  follow  x 

.    NEWPORT. 

"this  town  lies  in  lat.  41°  35' ;  it  was  firft  fettled  by  Mr.  Wlliaid 
Coddington,  afterwards  governor,  and  the  father  of  Rhode-Illaoil, 
with  feventeen  others,  in  1639.  Its  harbour,  which  is  one  of  the 
fineft  in  the  world,  fprtads  weftward  before  the  town;  the  entrance 
is  eafy  and  fai'e,  and  a  large  fleet  may  anchor  in  it,  and  ride  in  per 
U£i  fecurity.  It  is  probable,  ihould  the  United  States  eftablUh 
paval  force,  that  this  mny,  in  fome  future  period,  become  one  c 
the  man  of  war  ports  of  the  American  empire.  The  town  lies  nort 
and  foutb  upon  a  gradual  afcent  as  you  pu-oceed  from  the  water,  an 
exhibits  a  beautiful  view  from  the  harbour,  and  from  the  neighbou 
ing  hills  which  lie  weflward  upon  the  main.  Weft  of  the  town 
Goat-Ifland,  on  which  is  a  fqrt.  Between  this  ifland  and  Rho( 
Ifland  is  the  harbour.  Front  or  Water-flre^t  is  a  mile  in  length* 
Newport  contains  about  one  thoufand  houfes,  built  chitefly 
t^ood ;  it  has  nine  houfes  for  public  worfhip,  three  for  the  Baptif 
two  for  the  Congregation^lids,  one  for  Epifcopalians,  one  for  Qt 
kers,  one  for  Moravians,  and  a  iynagogue' for  the  Jews :  the  otl 
public  buildings  are  a  ilate  houfe  and  an  edifice  for  the  public 
brary.  The  lituation,  form  and  architecture  of  the  flate  hoiJ 
give  it  a  pleadng  appearance ;  it  ftands  fufficiently  elevated,  am 
long  wharf  and  paved  parade  lead  up  to  it  from  the  harbour. 

The  pestructive  influence  of  paplr  money,  which  1 
now,  however,  ceaied  to  operate,  combined  with  the  devaftation 
a  cruel  and  unjuft  war,  have  occaiioned  a  ilagnation  of  bufic 
which  is  truly  melancholy  and  diftreffing.  This  city,  far  famed 
the  beauty  of  its  fituation,  the  falubrity  of  its  climate,  and  the  h 
pitality  and  politenefs  of  its  inhabitants,  and  which  was  the  place 
refort  for  invalids  from  a  great  diftance,  now  wears  the  gloomy 
pedl  of  decay ;  thoufand^  of  its  inhabitants  are  almoil  deilitute 
employment ;  this  circumflance,  together  with  that  of  there  bein 
^eat  abundance  of  raw  materials  m  the  vic;nity,  flrongly  mark  < 
this  city  as  a  convenient  and  proper  iituation  for  extenfive  inanui 
tures.  Should  the  gentlemen  of  fortune  refident  in  the  State,  or  anj 
thofe  who  have  emigrated  or  that  may  emigrate  thither  from  differ 
^arts  of  Europe,  turn  their  capitals  into  this  channel,  they  woi 
l|Qt  only  derive  a  profit  to  themfelves,  but  be  inftrumental  in  givi 

empl< 


OF    RHOD]p:-ISLAND^  339 

ment  and  bread  to  thoufaqds  of  now  unhappy  people^^  imd  of 
J  the  former  importance  of  this  beautifql  city, 
excellent  accommodations  and  regulations  of  the  numeront 
which  belong  to  this  port,  and  which  ply  thence  to  Proyi- 
ad  New- York,  ought  not  to  pafs  unnoticed ;  they  are  laid  ta 
•ior  to  any  thing  of  the  kind  in  Europe, 

PROVIDBNCB* 

lence  is  fituated  in  lat.  41^  ji'onboth  fides  of  Providence 
thirty-five  miles  from  the  fca,  and  thirty  mile?  N.  by  W.  froiA 
t ;  it  is  the  oldeft  town  in  the  State ;  Roger  Williams  and^hit 
J  were  its  firft  fettlers  in  1636. 

town  is  divided  into  two  parts  by  the  river,  and  conne^ed 
idge,  formerly  called  WeybolTet,  from  a  high  hill  of  that; 
hich  flood  near  the  weft  end  of  the  bridge,  but  which  is  no'si^ 
i,  and  its  bafe  built  upon ;  this  bridge  which  is  the  only  onei 
confiderable  note  in  this  State,  is  one  hundred  apd  (Ixty  feet 
1  twenty-two  feet  wide,  fqpported  by  two  wooden  treflels  and 
e  pillars ;  its  fituation  affording  a  profpe^of  all  vefiels  leaving 
ering  the  harbour,  renders  it  a  pleafgnt  place  of  refort  in  the 
•  Ships  of  almoft  any  fize  fail  up  and  down  the  channel, 
s  marked  out  by  flakes,  ere£^ed  at  points,  fhoals,  and  beds 
1  the  river,  fo  that  flrangers  may  come  up  to  the  town  with* 
lot.    A  (liip  of  9  JO  tons,  for  the  Eafl-India  trade,  was  lately 

this  town,  and  fitted  for  fea.  In  1764  there  were  belonging 
ounty  of  Providence  fifty-four  fail  of  vefTels,  containing  four 
d  three  hundred  and  twenty  tons.  In  1791  they  had  one 
1  and  t\\renty-nine  fail,  containing  eleven  thoufand  nine  hun* 
id  forty. two  toii$|  and  in  179^  thefe  were  confiderably  in- 

town  fyffered  much  by  the  Indian  war  of  1675,  whenamim- 
its  inhabitants  removed  to  Rhpde-Iiland  for  flielter.  In  the 
r  the  cafe  was  reverfed ;  inany  of  the  inhabitants  of  that 
emoved  to  Providence* 

public  buildings  are,  an  elegant  meeting-houfe  for  tfaeBaptifhi, 
feet  f(|uare,  with  a  lofty  and  beautiful  fleeple  and  a  large 
ift  at  the  Furnace  Hope  in  Scituate-r-a  n^eting-houfe  for 
.  or  Quakers,  two  fpr  Congregationalifls,  an  epifcopal  churchy 
omt  cour^-houie,  feventy-feet  by  forty,  in  which  is  depo£ted 
y  fo9  the  ufe  pf  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  and  couD^tiy— « 

work* 


ty^  GEKERAL   DESCRIPTION 

ifortc-hoafe,  a  niarkct-houfe  eighty  feet  long  and  forty  feet  mdc,  ^^j 
a  brick  fchool-houfe,  in  which  four  fchools  afe  kept.     The  houfcs  ^ 
Ais  town  are  generally  built  cJF  wood,  though  there  are  feme  bnck 
burldings  which  are  large  and  elegant.     At  a  convenient  diftance  fro© 
Itic  tmvrJ,  an  hofpital  for  the  fmall-pox  and  other  difeafes  has  bcctf 
crededi.    There  are  two  fpermaceti  works,  a  number  of  diftillcricsi 
luear  houfes,  and  other  manufadories.     Several  forts  were  erc6ted  I  < 
in  and  near  Providence  during  the  late  war,  but  little  attention  has 
been  given  to  them  fince ;  id  the  determination  of  the  Anipricaa 
government  to  put  the  fca  ports,  &c.  into  a  proper  ftafe  of  defencC| 
ihls  place  has  not  been  forgotten,  orders  have  been  given  to  repair 
thofe  works  neceflary  for  the  defence  of  the  town.    This  town  ha 
an  extenfive  trade  with  MaiTachufetts,  Conne6licut,  and  part  of  Verr 
mont ;  and  from  its  advantageous  fituation,  promifes  to  be  among 
the  largeft  towns  in  New-England  ;  it  fends  four  reprefentatives  ta" 
fSie  General  AfTembly ;  the  pther  towns  in  the  county  fend  but  two, 

pRISTOL. 

BrHlol  IS  a  plca&nt  thriving  town,  about  fixteen  miles  north  of 
Newport,  on  the  main  ;  part  of  the  town  was  deftroyed  by  the  Brl- 
ti&,  but  h  has  lince  been  rebuilt ;  it  has  an  epifcopal  and  a  congre- 
gational church.  This  town  is  noted  for  railing  large  quantities  of 
perron  and  other  roots.  A  number  of  vefTels  are  owned  by  the  in- 
iabitants,  and  they  carry  on  a  confiderable  trade  to  Africa,  the  Weft<^ 
Indies,  and  to  diflfereht  parts  of  the  United  States. 

WARREN. 

Warren  is  alfo  a  flourifliing  town,  has  a  very  lucrative  trade  with 
the  Weft-Indies  and  other  places,  and  a  confiderable  portion  of  bu-r 
finefs  in  fhip-building. 

UTTLE  COMPTON. 

Little  Gompton,  called  by  the  Indians  Seconnet^  is  faid  to  be  the 
beft  cultivated  lownfliip  in  the  State,  and  affords  a  greater  fupply  of 
proviiions  for  market,  fuch  as  meats  of  the  feveral*  kinds,  butter, 
checfe,  vegetables,  &c.  than  any  other  town  of  its  fize.    The  inha- 
bitants, who  are  an  induftrious  and  fober  people,  and  in  thefe  rc- 
(peds  an  example  worthy  the  notice  and  imitation  of  theirijrethjen 
in  fome  other  parts  of  the  State,  manufacture  linen  and  tow  cloth^- 
I  *  •  -  fianaels.^ 


OF    RHODE-ISLAND^  SJf( 

annelsi  &c.  of  an  excellent  quality,  and  in  coniiderabld  quantitiet 
>r  fale. 

About  four  miles  north-eafl:  of  Providence  lies  a  fmall  villagcj 
ilJed  Pautucket,  a  place  of  fomc  trade,  and  famous  for  lamprq^ 
^Is.  Through  this  village  runs  Pautucket  river,  v»^hich  eniptiei 
to  Seiekhonck  river  at  this  place ;  in  this  river  is  a  beautiful  fall  of 
ater ;  dire<flly  over  the  falls  a  bridge  has  lately  been  built,  which  is 
wotk  of  conliderable  magnitude  and  much  ingenuity^  which  dp^ 
des  the  Commonwealth  of  Maflachufett*  from  the  State  t>f  Rhode-: 
land,  TJie  fall,  in  its  whole  length,  is  upwards  of  fifty  feet;  the 
ater  pafles  through  feveral  chafms  in  a  rotk  which  runs  diametric 
lly  acrofs  the  bed  of  the  ftrcam,  arid  ferves  as  a  dam  to  the  water-- 
Ter'al  mills  have  alfo  been  ereded  upon  thele  falls,  and  the  fpoutf 
id  channels  which  have  been  conftrudted  to  condudl  the  flreams  txi 
eir  refpedive  wheels,  and  the  bridge,  have  taken  very  much  froia 
e  beauty  and  grandeur  of  the  fcene,  which  would  otherwife  have 
:en  indefcribably  romantic 

In  the  town  of  Middletown,  on  Rhode-Ifland,  about  two  miles 
3m  Newport,  i^  a  place  called  Purgatory ;  it  joins  to  the  fea  On  the 
.ft  fide  of  the  ifland  j  it  is  a  large  cavity  or  opening,  in  a  high  bed  o£ 
►cks,  about  twelve  feet  in  diameter  at  top,  and  about  forty  feet  deep 
iforeyou  reach  the  water,  of  which,  as  it  joins  the  fea,  it  has  always? 
large  depth.  The  rocks  on  each  fide  appear  to  have beeti  onoci 
oited,  and  were  probably  feparated  by  fomc  convulfion  in  nature 


POPULATION. 

The  Number  of  Inhabitants  in  this  State  has  been  feveral 

times  taken. 


in   1730  it  r  15302  whites 
contained  \   2633  blacks 

,7481*9755  whites 

I   4373  blacks 

176!  1 35939  whites 

^1   4^97  blacks 


1.,.  J54435  wliites 
''I    5»53  ^^cks 
,.qJ4«53^  whites 
^^  t    3361  »5l2icks 
Thus  this  State  fuifered  a  dimi- 
nution in  9  yearsjfrora  i774ta 
1783,  of  7623  inbabitants. 


According  to  the  cenfus  taken*  in  i790|  the  numbers  flood  a& 

Hews  3 


UEW^ 


»3« 


OENERAL    DESCRIPTION 
NEWPORT  COUNTY. 


wewport  .  .  . 
Fortftnouth  .  , 
New-Shoreham 
{amca-Town  . 
Midtlletov.-n  .  . 
Tiverton  .  .  . 
Linle-Compton 


3385 


ai4 
570 

3^; 


PROVIDENCE  COUNTY. 


Providence  .  .  . 
Smith  field  •  .  . 
Scituate  .  .  .  . 
Glocefter  .... 
Cumberland  .  .  .- 
Cranfton  .  .  .  ■ 
Tohnffon  .  .  .  . 
North-Providence 
Fofter 


S6x 
989 


548 
999 
48,- 
40a 


633 
S09 


'877  |7;8 


WASHINGTON  COUNTY. 


Welterly 

460 

679 

North-Krngflon     .    . 

60Z 

668 

Soutli-Kinefton     .    . 

8ao 

lO^B 

Exeter 

lU 

6n 

Richmond     .    .    .    . 

5(0 

Hopkinton    .   .  .   . 

5.1 

678 

1605   . 


"^87  . 

^7 


3396 


BRISTOL  COUNTY. 


Warren 
Barringio 


OP   SH9DE-ISLAND. 
KENT    COUNTY. 


»3i5 


f 

TOWNS. 

1^ 

it- 

i 
1 

1  = 

it 

8 

1 

1 
J 

i 

i 

Ts 

'3 

5 

1 

"W,r«{ct     .... 
Eaft-Greenwich  .,  . 
Wen-Greenwkh     . 
Coventry     .... 

St>6 
4.--O 
510 
645 

516 

1! 

aa4 

»493 
1834. 
1054 
■477 

SUMA 

21^7    !       3128 

4149  I  ,151 

63;    88,8  1 

lARY  OF  POPULATION. 

Nrwpnrt  countv 
PrnvUlenceHo.'  .    . 
■Oi'aAiinKton  do.  .    . 

BriftolJo 

1.  Kent  do 

2341        8842     ,yon      8m 
6154         S5-10       HB77      7;a 
gSgO       4651        8017    1372 
7S1          6;8        iq6z        93 
2<57        ana        4149      3; 

366  14300 
8al  14391 

3^9  18075 
98    3S11 
(,,    »848 

1 

■S3°^  i   'i7'^9  1  3*^SLj,3+E? 

948 

t.S8.s  1 

"What  the  prefent  number  may  be,  it  is  difficult  to  afcertaio  whh 
any  pre-,ilion  ;  but,  accounting  tbi'  an  in^reafe  in  the  fame  proper* 
tion  as  between  the  years  1783  and  1790,  we  rosy  reafonably  flip- 
pofc  it  at  about  ri;venty-faven  thoiifand  ;  and  when  we  confider  that 
the  catife)  which  produced  1  dimmntion  did  not  ceafe  to  operate 
till  a  con&derable  period  after  die  year  1783,  this  account  wilt  not  tw 
xhought  too  high. 

TRADE  AND  MANUFACTURES. 

Before  the  war,  the  merchanti  in  Rhodc-Ifland  imported  tnm 

Great  Britain  dry  goods  i  from  Africa  Oaves ;  from  tlie  Weft-Indiei 

fugari,  coffees,  and  molafies,  and  from  the  neighbouring  colonic 

Jmnber  and  proviHons.     With  the  bills  irhich  they  obtained  in  Sll* 

^m  and  other  Dutch  Weft.  India  iOandi,  they  paid  their  merciumts 

'^  England  ;  their  fugars  they  carried  to  Holland  {  the  Saves  from 

■^■>ca  they  carried  to  the  Wcft-Indiea,  together  with  the  lumber 

**     ptovifions  procured  from  their  neighboun  j  the  rum  diliilled 

f^*^  the  molalTes  wot  carried  to  Africa  to  purchafe  negroes ;  with 

^«-  diy  gooda  from  England  they  trafiiekcd  widi  ttx  ncigbbouripg 


234  GENERAL   DESCRIPTION 

colonies.  By  tbU  kind  of  oircuttout  commerce  they  fabfifted  and] 
grew  rich ;  but  the  wir,  and  ibme  other  events,  have  had  a  greaU 
and  in  many  refpedt^,  an  injurious  effe6l  upon  the  trade  of  this  State;| 
The  (lave  trade,  which  was  a  fource  of  wealth  to  many  of  the  peo| 
in  Newport,  and  in  other  parts  of  the  State,  has  happily  been  al 
liihed;  the  Legiflature  have  pafled  a  law  prohibiting  flilps  from  got 
to  Africa  for  flavcs,  and  felling  thfm  in  the  Weft  India  iflandi ; 
the  oath  of  one  feaman  belonging  to  the  (hip  is  fufiicient  evidence 
the  fz& :  this  law  is,  however,  more  favourable  to  the  caufe  of  hi 
manity  than  to  the  temporal  ipterefls  of  the  merchants  who  had 
engaged  in  this  inhuman  trafHc. 

The  town  of  Briftol  carries\)n  a  confiderable  trade  to  Africa, 
Weft-Indies,  and  to  different  parts  of  the  United  States  ;  but  by 
the  greateft  part  of  the  commerce  of  this  State  is  at  prefent  carri 
on  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  flouriftiing  town  of  Providence. 
June,  1 791,  there  were  belonging  to  this  port. 

Tons. 

II  Ships,  containing 

35  Brigs  •        ^        . 

I  Snow  .         •         . 

1  Poleacrc         -         •         • 
%^  Schooners 

56    Sloops  n  ^  m 


3,066 

4,266 

141 

lOI 

1,320 


pr 


Total      129  fail,  containing  *         119941 

The  prefent  exports  from  the  State  are  flax  feed,  lumber,  horft 
clittle,  beef,  pork,  fifti,  poultry,  onions,  butter,  cheefe,  barley,  grain, 
fpirits,  and  cotton  and  linen  goods.    The  imports  confift  of  Euro- 
pean and  Weft-India  goods,  and  logwood  from  the  Bay  of  Hondu- 
ras.   Upwards  of  600  vefTels  enter  and  clear  annually  at  the  dlffLrent 

•  ports  in  ibis 'State.    The  amount  of  expojrts'from  this  State  to  fb- 

•  reign  counMes,  for  one  year,  ending  the  30th  of  September,  17911 
•'  was  four  hundred  and  fcventythotiTand' one  hundred  and  thirty-one 
'  dollai:s.Y)it^  cents  ;  this  has,  fmce  that  period,  confidernbly  ihcreaferf. 

~Withrefpe6t'iDmanttfa<fturc8th(Htihabitant8ofthis  State  ai'e  rapidif 

•  improving;-  -  A  cotton  manufa^bry  has  been  erected  at  Providence^ 
^hich,  from  prefent  profpe^s,  will  anfwer  the  expeftations  of  the 

-  proprietors.     Tlf^  ^warps  iare  fpiin  by  water  with  a  machine,  wbich 
is  an  impPovcment-on  Mr.  Arfcwright's ;  and  ftrong,  fmooth  an^ 
•xcellcn(  'yarn  is  thus  made  both  for  warps  and  ftockings.    T%e 


-OF    feHODB-ISLAND*-     .  235* 

ling  of  the  cotton  goods  is  fpiin  w.ith- jennies.  Jn  ti^efe  fereral 
brks  five  carding  machines  are  employed,  and  a  calender,  con* 
bni^ed  after  the  European  manner.  Jeans,  fuilians^  denims,  thick- 
icis,  velvets^  &:c.  are  here  manufactured  and  fent  to  the  fouthern 
States.  Large  quantities. of  linen  and  tow  ck>th  are  made'in  diftercnt 
arts  of  this  State  for  exportation.  But  the  moft  confiderable  ma- 
Fadures  in  this  State  are  thofe  of  iron^  fach-as  bar  and  flieet  iron, 
ic\  nail  rods  and  nails,  implements,  pf  hufbandry,  ftoves,  pots, 
kd  other  houfliold  utenflls,  the  iron  work  of  (hipping,  anchors, 
jils,  &c.  The  other  manufadures  of  this  State  are  rum,  corn,  . 
>irits,  chocolate,  paper,  wool  and  cotton,  cards,  &c.  beiide  domeftic 
taanufaftures  for  family  ufe,  .which,  in  this,  in  common  with- the 
Ither  States,  amount  to  a  vail  fum,  which  cannot  be  afcertained. 

RELIGION  AND  CHARACTER. 

The  conftitution  oJF  this  State  admits  of  no  religious  eftablifliments 
iDy  farther  than  depends  upon  the  voluntaiy  choice  of  individuals, 
III  men  profcfling  to  believe  in  one  Supreme  Being,  are  equally  pro- 
k6ktd  by  the  laws,  and  no  particular  fe6t  can  claim  pre-eminence. 
P*his  unlimited  liberty  in  religion  is  one  principal  caufe  why  there 
U  fiich  a  variety  of  religious  feds  in  Rhode-Ifland.  The  Baptifts'are 
Ihe  moft  numerous  of  any  denomination  in  the  State;  thefe,  as  well 
is  the  other  Baptifts  in  New-England,  are  chiefly  upon  the  Calviniftic 
^lan  as  to  dodrines,  and  independents  in  regard  to  chuJTch  govern- 
incnt.  There  are,  however,  fome  who  profefs  the  Arniinitn  tenets, 
Dthers  obferve  the  Jewifli,  or  Saturday  Sabbath,  from  a  perfuafi^n 
that  it  was  one  of  the  ten  commandments,  which  they  plead  are  all  in 
their  nature  moral,  and  were  never  abrogated  in  the  New  Tcfta- 
mcnt,  and  muft,  at  haft^  be  deeitied  of  equal  validity  for  public 
worihip  as  any  day  particularly  fet  apart  by  Jefus  Chrift  and  his 
apoftles.    Theie  are  called  Sabbatarian,  or  Seventh-dajT  Baptjfts. 

The  other  religious  denominations  in  Rhode  Jflatid  are,  Congre- 

gatlonalids.  Friends   or  Qnal^ers,   Epifcopalians,   Moravians,  and 

3ews.    Beiides  thefe,  there  are  a  confiderable  number  of  the  people, 

who  can  be  reduced  to  no  particular  denomination,  making  no  ex« 

ternal  profeflion  of  any  religion,  nor  attending  on  any  place  of  public 

wordiip. 

^  many  towns  public  wor(l>ip  is  much  neglected  by  the  greater 

^^  of  the  inhabitants ;  they  pay  no  taxes  for  the  fupport  of  eccle- 

^ftica  of  any  denomination ;   and  a  peculiarity  which  diftinguifhes 

^  State  fi:om  every  other  Protefta^t  countiy  in  the  known  world. 


236  6EWE11AL    DESCRIPTION 

15,  that  no  eAntra<fl  formed  by  the  nunifler  with  his  people, 
{alary,  is  valid  in  law  ;  fo  that  miniflers  are  dependent  wholly 
integrity  of  the  people  for  their  fupport,  (ince  their  faiaries  ar« 
recoverable.  It  ought,  however,  to  be  obferved,  that  roinifteJ 
general  are  liberally  maintained,  and  none  who  nocrit  it  have  m 
rcafon  to  complain  for  wan:  of  fuppoit. 

Throughout  the  whole  of  the  late  war  with  Great-Britain,  tlic 
h.lbitants  of  this  State  manifefted  a  patriotic  fpirit  5  their  troops  t 
hdved  gallantly,  and  they  are  honoured  in  having  produced  the  i 
cond  general  iu  the  field.* 

The  chara6ter  of  the  people  is,  however,  certainly  marl^cd  w 
many  dark  ihades,  and  the  State,  in  many  inftances,  exhibits  a  r 
lancholy  proof  of  thofe  evils  which  ever  follow  a  relaxation  of  mc 
principles.  From  the  year  17 10  till  within  a  few  years  paft,  aln 
a  continual  fyltem  of  creating  a  capital  by  the  negociating  c 
paper  currency  hat  been  purfued ;  the  fums  thus  created  were 
niore  than  fufficient  for  the  purpofes  of  commerce,  and  indeed, 
nlany  indances,  were  created  in  oppoiition  to  the  wifhes  of  the  n 
cantile  intereft,  for  the  purpofe  of  fupplying  the  State  with  moi 
and  filling  the  pockets  of  a  fet  of  venal  wretches,  without  fubje6) 
them  to  the  neceffity  of  earning  of  it  by  their  diligence,  fo  that 
hiftory  of  the  government  of  this  State  for  feventy  years  is  an  hifl 
of  bafc  pecnlatiotf  by  means  of  a  paper  money  currency^  which  wa 
contrived,  that  andongft  themfelves  it  came  out  at  about  two  and  a 
percent*  intereft,  and  they  lent  it  to  the  neighbouring^ coloniies  at 
per  cent,  as  bare-facoj  a  cheat  as  ever  was  pra£iifed*  The  inters 
tdefe  pttbHc  iniquitous  frauds  went,  one  quarter  to  thefeveral  to 
(hips  to  defray  their  charges,  the  otber  ithree  quarters  were  lod 
in  the  trcafurjr,  to  defray  thfc  charges  of  government.  Theie  n 
iiircs  have  depriverf  the  State  of  great  numbers  of  its  worthy 
mofli  refpe£table  inhabitants;  have  had  a  nioft  pernicious  infiuc 
iipon  the  morals  of  the  people ;  deprived  the  widow  and  the  orp 
of  their  jufl  dues,  and  occafioned  a  ruinous  (lagnation  of  trade, 
is  hoped,  however,  that  an  efficient  government  has  effectually  % 
lifii^d  this  iniquitous  fyftem,  and  that  the  confidence  loft  by  it 
Be  foon  recovered  by  a  fteady  and  rigid  attachment  to  an  integrit 
condufl  in  all  their  future  concerns*  This^  we  have  reafon  to 
lieve^  will  be  the  cafe  \  a  change  has  already  taken  place  much 

V  Ceoeral  Greea» 


OP    RHODE-ISLAND.  237 

™^  better,  and  the  attention  nowpaW^to  the  principles  of  the  rifmg 
S^Oeratbns  in  the  feats  of  learning  and  literature,  will,  no  doubt,  ex* 
^^iid  its  beneficial  influence  throughout  the  State. 

LEARNING  AND  LITERATURE. 

The  literature  of  this  State  is  confined  principally  to  the  towns-  ot 
Newport  and  Providence.  There  are  men  of  learning  and  abilities- 
^^Httcrcd-  through  other  towns,  but  they  are  rare.  The  bulk  of  the 
^'^ habitants,  in  other  parts  of  the  State,  are  involved  in  greater  igno« 

^^ce,  perhaps,  than  in  moft  other  parts  of  New-England.    An  im* 

partial  hiflory  of  their  tranfadions  fince  the  peace  would  evince  the 

truth  of  the  above  obfervations. 
At  Providence  is  Rhode-Iiland  college.    The  charter  for  found* 

ing  this  feminary  of  learning  was  granted  by  {he  general  afiembly  of 
the  State,  by  the  name  of  the  **  Truftees  and  Fellows  of  the  College 
or  Univerfity,  in  the  Englilh  colony  ot  Rhode-Iiland  and  Providencer 
Plantations,*'*  in  1764,  in  confequence  of  the  petition  of  a  larger 
number  of  the  moll  refpediable  chara6lers  in  the  State.  By  the 
charter,  the- corporation  of  the  college  confifts  of  two  feparati^ 
l>ranches,  with  diftinft,  feparate,  and  refpeftivc  powers.  The 
number  of  truftees  is  thirty-fix,  of  whom  twenty-two  are  Bap- 
ttfls,  five  of  the  denomination  of  Friends,  fi^ve  Epifcopalians,  and 
four  Congregationalifts.  The  fame  proportion  of  the  different  deno- 
minations to  continue  in  perpetuum.  The  number  of  fellou^s  (in- 
clufive  of  the  prefident,  who  is  a  fellow  ex  officio)  is  twelve,  of  whom 
eight  are  Baptifts,  the  others  chofen  indifcriminately  from  any  dene^ 
mi  nation.  The  concurrence  of  both  brandies,  by  a  majority  of 
each,  is  neceffary  for  the  validity  of  an  a6l,  except  adjudging  txA 
conferring  degrees,  which  exclufively  belongs  to  the  fellowihip-as  a 
learned  faculty.  The  prefident  muft  be  a  Baptift :  profeflbrs  and 
other  officers  of  inflrudtion  are  not  limited  to  any  particular  denomi* 
nation.'  There  is  annually  a  general  meeting  of  the  corporation  on 
the  lirft  Wednefdayin  September,  at  which  time  the  public  commence- 
ment is  held.  The  following  extra£ts  from  a  charge  delivered  to  the 
graduates  on  .that  occafion  in  i79t,  by  David  Howell,  Efq.  areintiro* 
duced  here,  as  they  difcover  the  principles  inculcated  in  thib  feminary^ 
while  they  proclaim  the  benevolent  difpofition  of  their  author. 

*  77ii»  nasM-  to  be  altered-  when-  any  generous  benefo^r   arifes,  who-  b/bi* 
|fittSil4oiuitiQQ  iball  entitle  himfelf  to  the  honour  of  giving  tlie  college  a  naxue. 

"  The 


233  GENERAL    DE3CRIPTI0M 

**  The  pittance  of  time  allotted  to  a  collegiate  education,  can  li^ 
fice  only  to  lay  the  foundation  of  le;irning;  the  fupei ltru6turc  mud  be. 
reared  by  the  arduous  attention  of  after  years. 

**  This  day  enlarges  you  into  the  world.  Exteniive  fields  open  ta 
your  view.  You  have  to  explore  the  fcenes,  and  to  make  an  elec- 
tion of  the  cbaraifter  that  beft  pleafes  you  on  the  great  theatre  of 
life. 

**  I^t  the  rights  of  man  ever  be  held  facred.    A  moment's  reflec- 
tion will  convince  you,  that  others*  rights  are  as  inviolable  as  your 
own  ;  and  a  fmali  degree  of  virtue  will  lead  you  to  refpc£^  them. 
He  that  fervcs  mankind  mod  fuccelsfully,  and  with  the  beft  prin- 
ciples, fcrves  his  Creator  mofl  acceptably.     Be  cautious  of  bandying 
into  parties ;  they  regard  neither  the  abilities  nor  virtues  of  men,  but 
only  their  fubfervieucy  to  prtsfent  purpofes ;  they  are  a  fnare  to  virtue 
and  a  mifchief  to  fociety.    With  this  caution  on  your  mind,  you 
will  never  revile  or  fpcak  evil  of  whole  fe(5ts,  clafles,  or  focieties  of 
Baen. 

V  Forget  not  this  precious  motto :  **  JV/^7  humanum  a  me  put9   ' 
sltenttm*"  Confkler  every  one  in  human  Aiape  as  your  brother;  and. 
*•  let  charity  in  golden  links  of  love  conneSl  you  'with  the  brotherhood  of 
man  J*    Let  your  benevolence  be  broad  as  the  ocean ;  your  candour 
brilliant  as  the  fun,  and  your  compai&on  and  humanity  exteniive 
as  the  human  race.'* 

Thefe  fentiments  are  not  confined  to  Mr.  Howell,  the  charge  o^ 
Frefident  Maxey,  in  1793,  breathes  the  fame  fpirit  of  freedom  ar*^ 
philanthropy^  What  are  the  advantages  fociety  may  not  cxpe£l^ 
when  principles  like  thefe  are  imprcflcd  with  all  the  energetic  forc^ 
of  precept  and  example,  "on  the  minds  of  the  rifing  generation  ? 

This  inditution  was  firft  founded  at  Warren,  in  the  county  ^ 
Brifiol,  and  the  firft  commencement  held  there  in  1 769. 

In  the  year  1770,  the  college  was  removed  to  Providence,  wher^ 
large,  elegant  building  was  ere6led  for  its  accommodation,  by  tlm 
generous  donations  of  individuals,  moftly  from  the  town  of  Prow> 
dence.     It  is  fituated  on  a  hill  to  the  eaft  of  the  town  ;  and  while  itJ 
elevated  fituation  renders  it  delightful,  by  commanding  an  extenfiv^^* 
variegated  profpeft,  it  /urnifhes  it  with  a  pure,  fahibrious  air.    Tb* 
edifice  js  of  brick,  four  ftories  high,  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  lon& 
and  forty-fix  wide,  with  a  projeaion  of  ten  feet  each  fide.     It  has  aa 
^try  lengthwife,  with  rooms  on  each  fide.    There  are  forty-«ite 

roomi 


.•   tit    RHODE-ISLAND,  '239 

}  for  the  accommodation  of  fludents,  and  eight  larger  ones  for 
:  ufes.    The  roof  is  covered  with  flate* 

m  December  1776,  to  June  1782,  the  college  edifice  was  ufed 
French  and  American  troops  for  an  hpfpital  and  barracks,  lb 
le  courfe  of  education  was  interrupted  during  that,  period.  No 
;s  were  conferred  from  1776  to  1786.  From  1786,  the  col- 
gain  became  regular,  a^d  is  now  very  flouriihing,  containing 
ds  of  Qxiy  fludents, 

ft 

3  inflitution  is  under  the  inftniiflion  of  a  preiident,  a  profeflbr 
inity,  a  profelTor  of  natural  and  experimental  philofophy,  a 
for  of  mathematics  and  aflronomy,  a  profefTor  of  natural  bif- 
md  three  tutors.  The  inftitution  has  a  library  of  between 
id  three  thoufand  volumes,  containing  a  valuable  philofophicai 
itus.  Nearly  all  the  fimds  of  the  college  are  at  intereft  in  the 
y  of  the    State,    and    amount    to  almoft    two    thQufand 

s. 

Newport  there  is  a  flourifhing  academy,  under  the  dir^* 
)f  a  rector  and  tutors,  who  teach  the  learned  languages^ 
h  grammar,  geography,  &c, 

SOCIETIES  AND  IMPROVEMENTS. 

marine  focjety  was  eflabliihed  at  Newport  in  i7Sa>  for  the 
fe  of  relieving  diftrelTed  widows  and  orphans  of  maritime  bre- 
and  fuch  of  their  fociety  as  ipay  need  affiitance. 
e  Providence  fociety  for  promoting  the  abolition  of  (lavery,  fof 
lief  of  perfons  unlawfully  held  in  bondage,  and  for  improving 
)ndition  of  the  African  race,  commenced  in  1789,  and  was  in- 
rated  the  year  following.  It  coniifts  of  upwards  of  one  hun- 
and  fifty  ipembers,  part  of  whom  belong  to  the  State  of  Maf- 
Tetts. 

# 

le  afTembly  of  this  State,  in  their  feffion  of  May,  1 79^*  pafTcd  an 
corporating  tjiree  companies,  for  the  purpofe  of  erecting  three 
!s — one  over  the  tipper,  and  another  over  the  lower  feny  of 
onk  river,  and  a  third  over  Rowland  ferry,  which  would  unite 
?-Ifland  with  Tiverton  on  the  main ;  the  two  former  will 
y  accommodate  the  town  of  Providence — ^the  latter  muft  prove 
f  advantageous  to  the  people  of  Newport  and  others  on 
;.Ifland.  To  fuch  wovks  of  utility  and  enterprize  every 
man  wiihes  fucccf^* 

CON- 


•  t 


£40  GENERAX    DESCRIPTIO'n 

CONSTITUTION.  ^ 

The  conflitution'ot  this  State  is  founded  on  the  duirt^gnctedly 
Charles  II.  in  1663  ;  and  the  frame  of  government  was  not  effmHOf 
altered  by  the  revolution.  -The  Icgiflaturc  of  this  State cOfififti<< 
two  branches — a  Senate  or  Upper  Houfe,  compofed  of  ten  mcmboi 
l)efides  the  governor  and  dt-puty-govef nor/ called,  ift  the  charter, 
ajfijlann — and  a  Houfe  of  Repreitntatives,   compofed  of  depuiitt 
from  tlie  feveral  towns.    The  members  of  the  legiflature  arc  chofeo 
twice  a  year  ;  and  there  are  two  feflions  of  this  body  annually,  vii. 
on  the  firft  Wednefday  in  May,  and  the  lad  Wcdnefday  in  Oc- 
tober. 

The  fupreme  executive  power  Is  veiled  in  a  governor,  or,  in  bw 
abfence,  in  the  deputy-governor,  who,  with  the  ailillants,  fecrctary^ 
and  gehefal  trcafurer,  are  chofen  annually  hi  May  by  the  fuSrages  61 
the  people.    The  governor  prefides  in  the  Upper  Houfe,  but  htf 
only  a  fmgle  voice  m  enafting  laws. 

There*  is  one  fupreme  judicial  cburt,  compofed  of  five.judgci 
whofe  jurifdi^ion  extends  over  the  whole  State;  and  who  hold^cw 
courts  annually  in  each  county. 

In  each  county  there  is  an  inferior  court  ^of  common  pleas  anj  g 
lieral  fcffions  of  the  peace,  held  twice  a  year  for  the  trial  of  caulS 
rot  capital,  arifmg  within  the  county,  from  which  an  appeal  lies 
the  fupreme  court.    But  in  order  to  give  a  more  particular  vie^ 
the  government  of  this  State,  we  ihall  infert  the  charter  itfelf 
which  it  is  founded. 

CHARTER. 

Charles  the  Second,  by  the  grace  of, God,  &c;  To  all 
whom  thefe  prefent;3  ihall  come  greeting :  Wh^eas  .  wc  have  ^7^ 
informed  by  the  petition  of  our  trufty  and  well  beloved  fubje£lb,  J^> 
Clarke,  on  the  behalf  of  Benedift  Arnold,  William  Brenton,  V^ 
Kam  Codington,  Nicholas  Eafton,  William  Boulfton,  John  Port* 
John  Smith,  Samuel  Gorton,  John  Weekes,  Roger  .Will  larQS,  Tl' 
mas  Olney,  Gregoiy  Dexter,  John  Cogeihall,  Jofeph  Clarke,  Ran^^ 
Houlden,  •  John  Greene,  John  Roome,  Samuel  Wildbore,  Willie 
Field,  James  Barker,  Richard  Tew,  Tliomas  Harris,,  and  Willi* 
Dyre,  and  the  reft  of  thd  purchafers  and  free  inhabitants  of  our  UbU^^ 
called  Rhode-I|land,  and  the  reft  of  the  cofony  of  Providence  HI*<»*^ 


OF    RHODE-ISLAND.  24I 

tioti!},  iQ  the  Narraganfet  bny,   in  New^-England,  in  America,  that 

they,   piirfuing  with  peace  and  loyal   minds  their  fobcr,    fcrious, 

and  religious  intentions,    qf  godly  edifying    themf-lves    and    one 

another  la  the  holy  Chiiftian  faith    and    worfliip,  as  they  were 

perfuaded,  together  with  the  gaining  over  and  ccnvcrfion  of  the 

poor  ignorant  Indian  natives  in  thofe  parts  of  America,  to  the  fincere 

4>rofeffion.  and  obedience  of  the  fame  faith  and  worfhip,  did  not 

only  by  the  confent  and  good  encouragement  of  our  royal  progeni- 

"j     tors,  tranfpof  t  themfelvesdutof  ihis  kingdonl  ofEngland  into  America; 

butalfo  fince  their  arrival  there,  after  their  firft  fettlemcnt  among  other 

our  fubjeAs  In  thofe  parts,  for  the  avoiding  of  difcord  and  thofe 

many  evil's  which  were  likely  to  enfue  upon  thofe  our  fabjcfVs  not 

being  able  to  bear  in  thofe  remote  parts  their  different  apprehenfions  in 

religious  concernments^  and  in  purfuance  of  the  afjrefaid  ends  did 

'once  again  leave  their  defirable  ftations  and  habitation?,  and  with  ex* 

ceflive  labour  atid  travail,  hazard  and  charge,  did  tranfplant  them- 

felves  into  the  midft  of  the  Indian  natives,  who,  as  We  are  informed, 

are  the  moft  potent  princes  and  people  of  all  that  cOuntrv ;  where,  by 

the  good  providence  of  God  (from  whom  the  plantations  have  taken 

their  name)  upon  thtir  labour  and  induftry,  they  have  not  only  been 

preferved  to  iidmiralion,  but  have  increafcd  and  profpered,  and  are 

fofed  and  poflcfled,  by  purchafe  and  confent  of  the  fuid  natives, 

to  their  full  content,  of  fuch  lands,  iflands,  rivers,  hirbours,  and 

''oads,  as  are  very  convenient  both  for  plantations,    and  alfo  for 

"Uilding  of  (hips,    fupply   of  pipe-ftaves,    and    other   m^rchan- 

^fc>  and  which  lie  very  commodious  in  many  refpeds  for  commerce, 

*'*<i  to  accommodate  our  fouthem  plantations,  and  may  much  ad» 

^nce  the  trade  of  this  our  realm,  ai^d  greatly  enlarge  the  territories 

thereof;   they  having,  by  near  neighbourhood  to,  and  friw^ndly  fo- 

cicty  ^jth  the  greM  body  of  the  Narraganfet  Indians,  given  them  en- 

^Wragement  of  their  own  accord,  to  fubjcA  themfclvcs,  their  people, 

*^d  lands,  unto  us  5  whereby,  as  is  hoped,  there  mny,  in  time,  by. 

^  l^lcfling  of  God  upon  their  endeavours,  be  laid  a  fure  foundation 

*^5ippinefs  to  all  America,    And  whereas,  in  their  humble  ad- 

'^^^  they  have  freely  declared,  that  it  is  much  on  their  hearts  (if 

^3^    be  permitted)  to  hold  forth  a  lively  experiment,  that  a  moft 

^  ^iOiing  civil  ft  ate  may  ftand,  and  beft  be  maintained,  and  that 

^^ng  our  £ngliih  fubjc^h,  with  a  fuH  liberty  in  religious  concern- 

^^ts;  and  that  true  piety,  rightly  grounded  upon   gofpel  prin- 

f^^'^s,  will  give  the  beft  and  greateft  fccurity  to  fov^'reignty,  and 

^X  lay  in  the  hearts  of  men  the  jjrongeft  obligations  to  true  loy- 

OJ..IL  "^  li  ^V 


442  GENERAL    DESCRIP'TIOM 

alty :  now,  know  yc,  that  we  being  willing  to  encourage 
hopeful  undertaking  of  our  faid  loyal  and  loving  f'.ibjefts,  : 
to  Iccurc  them  in  the  free  cxercife  and  enjoyment  of  all  their  c 
and  religious  righ- s  appertaining  to  them,  as  our  loving  fubjcds; 
to  preferve  wnto  them  that  liberty  in  tlK  true  Chriftian  faith 
worfliip  of  God  which  they  have  fought  with  fo  much  travail^ 
with  peaceable  minds  and  loyal  fubje<Stion  to  our  royal  progenitors 
ourfcives  to  enjoy  ;  and  becanfe  fome  of  the  people  and  i«habitan 
the  fame  colony  cannot,  in  thsir  private  opinion,'  conform  to 
public  exercife  of  religion  according  to  the  liturgy,  form,  and  c 
monies  of  the  Church  of  England,  or  take  or  fubfcribe  the  oaths 
articles  made  andeflablifhci  in  that  behalf;  and  for  that  the  fame 
reafon  of  the  remote  diflances  of  thofe  places,  will,  as^  we  hope 
no  breach  of  the  unity  and  uniformity  eAabliflied  \n  thi«  nai 
have  therefore  thought  fit,  and  do  hereby  pnblifli,  grant,  ordain, 
declare,  that  our  royal  will  and  pleafure  is,  that  no  {>erfon  withii 
faid  c(^lony,  at  any  time  hereafter,  fliall  be  any  wife  molefted, 
nifhcd,  difquieted,  or  called  in  c^uefcion,  for  any  differences  in  opii 
in  matters  of  religion,  who  do  not  adually  difturb  the  civil  peac 
our  faid  colony;  but  that' all  and  every  perfon  and  perfons  may,  i 
time  to  time,  and  at  all  times  hereaftei*,  freely  and  fully  have  anc 
joy  his  and  their  own  judgments  and  confciences,  m  matters  o: 
ligious  a>ncernment,  throughout  the  tra6t  of  land  hereafter  i 
t'foned,  they  behaving  themfclves  peaceably  and  quietly,  and  not  i 
this  liberty  to  lirentioufnels  and  profanenefs,  nor  to  the  civil  injui 
outward  didurb^nce  of  others,  any  law,  flatute,  or  claufe  therein 
tained,  or  to  be  contained,  nf^ge  or  cuflom  of  this  realm,  to  the 
trary  hereof^  in  any  wife  notwiihftanding.  And  that  they  may  1 
the  bttttcr  capacity  to  defend  themfelves  in  thtir  jull  rights  and  I 
ties,  agiinil  all  the  enemies  of  the  thriitian  f..iih,  and  others,  in  a! 
fpecls,  we  Lave  further  thought  fir,  sad  at  the  humble  petition  c 
perfons  aforefaid,  are  gracioiiily  plealed  to  d'.'cUre,  that  they 
haive  and  enjoy  the  benefit  of  our  lr.ie  act  of  indemnity,  and  free 
don,  as  the  reft  of  our  fubjtds  in  other  our  dominions  and  ter 
ries  have;  and  io. create  and  make  them  a  body  politic  or  corpo 
with  the  powers  or  privileges  herein  after-mentioned.  And  ac 
dingly,  our  will  and  pleafure  is,  and  of  our  efpecial  grace,  cei 
knowledge,  and  mere  motion,  we  have  ordained,  conliituted, 
dcclaieJ,  and  by  thefe  prefents,  for  us,  our  hens  and  fucceflbrs, 
crdain,  co&^itute,  and  declare,  that  they  the  faid  William  Brco 

Will 


OF    RIIODE-ISLAKD.  443 

Coddington,  Nicholas  Eafton,  Bewcdiifl  Arnold,  William 
,  John  Porter,  Samuel  Gorton,  John  Smith,  John  Wcekef , 
/illiamS,  Thomas  Olney,  Gregory  Dexter,  John  Cogefliall, 
!^larke,  Randall  Houlcien,  John  Gi-cene,  John  Roome,  WiU 
re,  Samuel  Wildbore,  Richard  Tew,  William  Field,  The* 

Tis,  James  Barker,  Rainlborrow,         ■  —  Williams, 

1  Nixon,  and  all  fuch  others  as  are  now,  or  hereafter  fliall 
tted,  free  of  the  company  and  fociety  of  our  colony  of  Pro- 
Plantations,  in  the  Narragaofet  bay,  in  New-EnglAiid,  {hall 
1  time  to  time,  and  forever  hereafter,  a  body  corporate  and 
n  fia«^  and  name,  by  the  name  of  the  governor  and  company  of 
lifh  colony  of  Rhode-Illand  and  Providence  Plantations,  in 
gland,  in  America ;  and  that  by  the  fame  name,  they  dnd 
cefTors  (liall  aind  may  have  perpetual  fuccefiion,  and  (liall 
be  perfons  able  and  capable  in  the  law  to  fue  and  be  fued,  to 
\be  impleaded,  to  anfwer  and  to  be  anfwered  unto,  to  defend, 
?  defended,  in  all  and  {ingular  fuits,  caufes,  quarrels,  mat- 
ions,  and  thingc,  of  What  kind  or  nature  foever  ;  and  alfo  to 
ce,  poflcfs,  acquire,  and  purchafo  lands,  tenements,  or  heredi- 

or  any  goods  or  chattels,  and  the  fame  to  leafe,  grant,  de- 
en,  bargain,  fell,  anddifpofe  of,  at  their  own  will  and  plea- 
other  our  liege  people  of  this  our  realm  of  Ergland,  or  any 
ion  or  botiy  politic  within  the  fame,  may  lawfully  do;  and 
that  they  the  fa  id  governor  and  company,  and  tiieir  fuccef- 
ill  and  may,  for  ever  hereafter,  have  a  common  feal,  to 
i  ufe  for  all  matters,  caufes,  thing?^  ar.d  atiaiis  whatsoever, 

and   their  fucceifors,  and   the  fame  fcal  to  alter,  change, 

nd  make  new  from  time  to  time,    at  their  will  and  plear 

they  fhall  think  fit.     And  further,  we  will  and  ordain,  and 

prefents,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  fncccflors,  do  declare  and 

that  for  the  better  ordering  and  managing  of  the  alrairs  and 
of  the  faid  company  and  their  fucceflbrs,  th6re  Ihall  be  one 
*,  one  deputy-governor,  and  ten  affiftants,  to  be  from  time 
onftituted,  eleded,  and  chofen  out  oF  th  j  freemen  of  the  faid 
'  for  the  time  being,  in  fuch  manner  and  form  as  is  hereafter 
>refents  exprelTed  ;  whicii  faid  officers  flinll  apply  thcmfelves 
are  for  the  heft  difpofing  and  ordering  of  the  general  bufmefs 
•s  of  and  concerning  the  lands  and  hereditaments  licrein  after 
rd  to  be  granted,  and  the  plantation  thereof^ .0*^1. ^^^e  go- 
t  of  the  people  th(ire.    And  for  the  better  execution  or  ou;: 

I  i  ^  royal 


244-  GENERAL   DESCRIPTION 

royal  pleafnre  herein,  we  do,  for  us,  oui*  heirs  and  fiicceflbrs,  ftffifKy 
Xiame,  conditute  and  appoint,  the  aforefaid  Benedict  Arnold  to  b« 
the  fiift  and  prefent  governor  of  the  faid  company,  and  the  faid  WiJ« 
liaixi  Brenton  to  be  the  deputy  governor,    and  the  faid    Williaffl 
Boulfton,  John  Porter,  Roger  Willianns,  Thomas  Oh)cy,  JohnSroiih, 
John  Greene^  John  Cogdhall,  James  Barker,  Wiiliam  Field,  ami 
Jofeph  Clarke,  to  be  the  ten  prefent  affiibnt$  of  the  faid  company,  tQ 
continue  in  xhe  faid  feveral  offices  refpedtively, until  the  iirft  Wednefday 
vrhicb  fliall  be  in  the  month  ot*  May  now  next  coming.    And'further, 
we  wir,  andbythefe  prefents,  fotus,  our  heirs  and  fucceflbrs,  door« 
dain  and  grant,  that  the  governor  of  the  faid  company  for  the  time 
being,  or  in  his  abfence,  by  occa6on  of  ilcknefs  or  otherwife,  by  bli 
leave  or  permiffion  the  deputy-governor  for  the  time  being,  (hall  and 
may,  from  time  to  time,  upon  all  occafions,  give  order  for  the  affem- 
bling  of  the  faid  company,  and  calling  them  together,  to  confult  and 
adviie  of  the  bufmefs  and  affairs  of  the  faid  company  ;  and  that  for 
ever  hereafter,  twice  in  every  year,  that  is  to  fay,  on  every  firftWcd^ 
nefilay  in  the  month  of  May,  and  on  cYcry  laftWedncfday  in  Odober, 
cr  oftener,  in  cafe  it  fhali  be  requiiite,  the  af&ilants,  and  fuch  of  the 
frcemtn  of  the  faid  company,  not  exceeding  fix  pcrfons  from  New* 
port,  four  perfons  for  c.ich  of  the  refpeftive  towns  of  Provi  'encc, 
Poitfniouih,    and  Warwick,  and  two  perfons  for  each  othet  places 
town  or  city,  who  ihall  be  from  time  to  time  thereu(\to  clewed  or  de- 
puted by  the  major  part  of  the  freemen  of  the  refpe^ive  towns  ot 
places  for  which  they  fliall  be  fo  eleded  or  deputed,  ihall  have  a  ge- 
neral meeting  or  aflj^bly,  then  and  there  to  confult,  advife  and 
determine,  in  and  about  the  affairs  and  bufinefs  of  the  faid  compatij 
and  plantotions.     And  further,  we  do  of  our  efpecial  grace,  cct^ 
tain  knowledge,  and  mere  motion,  g've  and  grant  unto  the  faid  gP" 
vernor  and  company  of  the   Englifli  co'ony  of  Rhode-lOand  at*" 
Provider.ce  Flmtanon?,   in   New-England,    in  America,   and  th^if 
fucctfTcrs.  that  the  governor,  or  in  his  abfence,  or  byhispermiffioiH 
the  depiitv-governor  of  the  faid  company  for  the  time  being,  the  ^' 
fifl^air?,  ar.  I  fuch  of  the  tree  men  of  the  faid  company  asfhallbe  »> 
af)ie  rid  tlcdled  or  deputed,  or  fo  many  of  them  as  fhallbe  prefi?^^ 
at  iu.h   mccilng  or  afilmbly  as  aiorefaid,  fliall  be  called  the  *^^^. 
neral  r'.fTemhly  ;    and  fhar  they,  or  the  greateil  part  of  them  tb«^ 
jirefert,  whereof  the  gov  ernor,  or  deputy-governor,  and  fix  of  tb^ 
affiflan  6  at  ie^fl,  to  be  feven,  fhal  have,  and  have  hereby  given  ap^, 
granted  uuto  them  fail  power  and  authority,  from  time  to  time,  ^** 


OP    RHODE-ISLAND.  ^45 

tt  all  times  hereafter,  to  appoint,  alter,  and  change  fuch  days,  timet 
Adphcts  of  meeting,  and  General  Aflembly,  as  they  flmll  think  fit  i 
EKitDcbufe,  nominate,  and  appoint  flicKand  lb  many  perfons  as  they 
ail  think  fit,  and  fhall  be  willing  to  accep;  the  fame,  to  be  free  of 
eiaid  company  and  body  politic,  and  them  into  the  fame  toadmiti 
dto  ele6t  and  conilitute  fuch  offices  ar>d  ofKce  s,  and  to  graut  fuch 
(dful  commiffions  as  they  fliall  think  fit  andrecrii'ite,  for  ordering^ 
naging,  and  difpatching  of  the  affairs  of  the  laid  governor  and 
npany,  and  their  fucceiT^rs;  and  from,  time  to  time,  to  make^ 
ain,  conditute,  or  repeal,  fuch  laws,  (iacutcs,  orders  and  ordI<r 
ices,  forms  and  ceremonies  of  government  and  magiAracy,  as 
:hem  (hall  feem  meet,  for  the  good  and  wellaie  of  the  faid  coni- 
y,  and  for  the  government  and  ordering  o'  the  lands  «nd  heredita* 
nts  herein  after-mentioned  to  be  grantv'd,  and  of  the  people  that  do» 
at  any  time  hereafter  (hall  inhabit,  or  be  within  the  fame ;  fy 
uch  laws,  oidinances,  and  confiitutions  foi^ade,  be  not  contrary 
1  repugnant  unto,   but  as  near  as  may  be,  agree.ible  to  the  laws  of 

our  realm  of  England,  confidering  the  nature  and  conflitution  of 
place  and  people  there  ;  and  alfo  to  appoitit,  order,  and  dire£)'9 
^  and  fettle  fuch  places  and  courts  of  juriidi^lion,  fo^*  hearing  and 
ermining  of  all  anions,  cafes,  matters,  and  things,  happening 
hin  the  faid  colony  and  plantation,  and  which  (hall  be  in  difpute, 
I  depending  thcre^  as  they  (liail  think  fit ;  and  alfo  to  diflinguiih 
1  fet  foith  the  ieveral  names  ami  titles,  duties,  powers  and  limits, 
!ach  court,  office  and  ofhctr,  fiip^rior  and  inferior;  and  alio  to 
itrive  and  appoint  fuch  forms  of  oaths  and  atieft^tion? ,  not  repug- 
u,  but  as  near  as  may  be  agreeable,  as  aforefaiJ,  to  tiie  l.iws  and 
utts  of  this  our  realm,  as  are  convenient  and  reqniute,  with  re- 
ft to  the  due  admini(tration  of  juftice,  and  due  execution  and  dif- 
rge  of  all  offices  and  places  of  truft,  by  the  perlons  that  lliaii  be 
rein  concerned ;  and  alfo  to  regulate  and  order  the  vf^y  and  man«« 

of  all  ele^ions  to  offices  and  places  of  trufl,  and  to  prefcribe, 
it  and  diftinguiih  the  number  and  bounds  of  all  places,  towns  and 
es,  within  the  limits  and  bounds  herein  after  mentioned, 
I  not  herein  pirticuhrly  named,  who  have,  or  fhall' have  the 
^tr  of  ele^ing  an. I  fending  of  freemen  to  the  faid  General  Allem-- 
;  and  alfo  lo  o'der,  dire(^,  and  authorife  the  impoiing  of  lawful 

reaionable  fines,  mu!<5ts,  imprifonments,  and  executing  other 
•fliments,  pecuniary  and  corporal,  upon  offenders  and  delin- 
ou^    according    to  the   courfe   of  other  corporations  within 

this 


24^  GENERAL   DESCRIPTIOK 

tills  our  kingdom  of  Er^gland  :  and  again,  to  alter,  revoke,  annul  or 
pardon,  under  their  common  f  al,  or  otherwifc,  fuch  firies,  mul£h, 
jmprifonments,  fCiUcnccs,  judjmjntsand  condemn.itions,  as  fliall  be 
thought  fit ;  and  to  dire<^r,  rule,  order,  and  difpofe  all  other  mattcrt 
and  things,  and  particularly  that  which  relates  to  the  making  of  pur- 
chafes  of  the  native  Indian*:,  as  to  them  fliall  feem  meet  ;   whereby 
ourfaiJ  people  and  iiihabitarjts  in  the  laid  plantations  may  be  fo 
rehgioully,  peaceably,  and  civilly  governed,  as  that  by  their  good  life 
and  orderly  converfation  they  may  win  and  invite  the  native  Indians 
of  the  country  to  the  knowledge  and  obedience  of  the  only  true  Gorf 
and  Saviour  of  mankind;  willing,  commanding,  and  requiring,  and 
by  thefe  prefents,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  fuccelTors,  ordaining  and  ap* 
pointing,  that  all  fuch  laws,  flatutes,  orders,  and  ordinances,  inftruc-. 
tions,  impofitions,  and  dirct^lions,  as  (hail  be  fo  made  by  the  governor, 
deputy,  afliihnts,  and  freemen,  or  fuch  number  of  them  as  aforefaid, 
and  publiflied  in  writing  under  their  common  feal,  fliall  be  carefully 
and  duly  obferved,    kept,    performed,   and  put  in   execution,  ac- 
cording to  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of  the  fame.     And  thefe  our 
letters  patent,   or  the  duplicate  or  exemplification  thereof,    flial! 
be  to  all  and  every  fuch  oiBcers,  fuperior  or  inferior,  £i*om  time  to 
time,  for  the  putting  of  the  fame  orders,  laws,  flatutes,  ordinances, 
indi-u^ons,  and  directions,  in  due  execution  againfl  us,  our  liein 
and  luccefTors,  a  fufticient  warrant  and  difcharge.     And  further,  our 
will  and  pleafure  is,  and  we  do  hereby  fur  us,  our  heirs  and  fucccf- 
fors,  eftablifhand  ordain,  that  yearly,  once  in  the  year  for  ever  here- 
after, namely,  the  aforefaid  Wednefday  in  May,  and  at  the  town  of 
Newport  or  elfcwhere,  if  urgent  occafion  do  require,  the  governor, 
deputy-governor,  and  affiilants  of  the  faid  company,  and  other  officers 
of  the  faid  company,  or  fuch  of  them  as  the  General  AlTembly  fhall 
think  fit,  fhall  be  in  the  faid  General  Court  or  Affembly,  to  be  held 
irom  that  day  or  time,  newly  chofen  for  the  year  enfuing,  by  the 
greater  part  of  the  faid  company  for  the  time  being,  as  fhall  be  then  and 
there  prefent.     And  if  it  fliall  happen  that  the  prefent  governor, 
deputy-governor,  and  afliftants,  by  thefe  prefents  appointed,  or  any 
fuch  as  fliall  hereafter  be  newly  chofen  into  their  rooms,  or  any  of 
them,  or  any  other  the  officers  of  the  faid  company,  fhall  die,  or  be 
removed  from  his  or  their  feveral  oflPiCes  or  places  before  the  faid 
general  day  of  eledion  (whom  we  do  hereby  declare  for  any  mifde- 
meanor  or  default  to  be  rcmoveable  by  the  governor,  afliflants,  and 
company,  or  fuch  greater  part  of  them,  in  any  of  the  faid  puWftf 

z  m 


ly 


OF    RHODE-ISLAND.  44f 

*^^8  b  bd  afTembled  as  aforefaid)  that  then,  and  in  every  fuch 
^*^^>  it  (hall  and  may  be  lawful  to  and  for  the  faid  governor,  deputy^ 
l^^ernor,  afliftants,  and  company  aforefaid,  or  fuch  greater  part  of 
*'^cni  fo  to  be  aflembled,   as  is  aforefaid,  in  any  of  their  aflenjblies, 
^^  proceed  tb  a  new  ele^ion  of  one  or  more  of  their  company,  iql 
*^c  room  or  place,  rooms  or  places,  of  fuch  officer  or  officers  fa 
vbg. or  removed,  according  to  their  directions.     And  immediately 
^pon  and  after  fuch  eledtion  or  eledions  made  of  fuch  governor,  de- 
puty-governor,  affiftant  or   aflidants,   or  any  other  officer  of  the 
fiid  company,  in  manner  and  form  aforefaid,  the  authority^  office, 
and   power   before   given   to  the  former  governor,  depurj^-govcrr 
/}or,    and   other    officer  and   officers  fo  removed,   in  w-hofe  ftead 
and  place  new  fliall  be  chofen,  {hall,  as  to  him  and  them,  and  every 
of  them  refpediveiy,  ceafe  and  determine:  Provided  always,  and 
our  will  and  pleafure  is.  That  as  well  fuch  as  are  by  thefe  prefcntB 
appointed  to  be  the  prefent  governor,  depnty-govenwr,  and  affiftatits 
of -the  faid  company,  as  thofe  which  (hall  fucceed  them,  and  all  other 
oiiicers  to  be  appointed  and  chofen  as  aforefaid,  fliall,  before  the  un- 
dertaking the  execution  of  the  faid  offices  and  places  refpe<5tivcly, 
give  their  folemn  engagement,  by  oath  or  otherwdfe,  for  the  due  and 
faithful  performance  of  their  duties  in  their  feveral  offices  and  places, 
i>£fore  fuch  perfon  or  perfons  as  are  by  thefe  prefents  hereafter  ap- 
poirited  to  take  and  receiva  the  fame  ;  that  is  to  fay,  the  faid  Bene- 
<li«!!t  Arnold,  who  is  herein  before  nominated  and  appointed  the  pre- 
lent  governor  of  the  faid  company,  fhall  give  the  aforefaid  engage- 
xnent  before  William  Brenton,  or  any  two  of  the  faid  afliftants  of 
the  faid  Company,  unto  whom  we  do,  by  thefe  prefents,  give  full 
power  and  authority  to  require  and  receive  the  fame ;  and  the  (aid 
^William  Brenton,  who  is  hereby  before-nominated  and  appointed 
«:lie  pref{;nt  deputy-governor  of  the  faid  company,   fliall  give  the 
aforefaid  engagement  before  the  laid  Benedict  Arnold,  or  any  two 
of  the  affiftants  of  the  faid  company,  imto  whom  we  do,  by  thefe 
prefents,  give  full  power  and  authority  to  require  and  receive  tb# 
"'^c  5  and  the  faid  William  Boulfton,  John  Porter,  Roger  Williams, 
"•"ornas  Olney,  John  Smith,  John  Green,  John  Cogefliall,  James 
arker,  William  Field,  and  Jofeph  Clarke,  who  are  herein  before 
^^'^inated  and  appointed  the  prefent  affiftants  of  the  company,  fliall 
.       ^    the  faid  engagement  to  their  offices  and  places  refpcdlively  be- 
ting, before  the  faid  Brnedift  Arnold  and  William  Brenton,  or 
^     ©f  tkem,  to  whom  rcfpc^lively  w«  do  hereby  give  full  power 

and 


id: 


^4^  GENERAL    DESCRIPTI6W 

tpH  .uithnnt-/  to  require,  adminifler,  or  rccci'  c  the  fame.  And  hxtbi^ 
our  w.  I  :i:d  plcafiire  is,  that  all  nnd  every  other  future  govemor^or 
dcj>u  \  -g.Acrn.  r,  to  be  elected  all  I  chofen  by  virtue  of  thefe  prektitM^ 
ihali  gi.t  the  faid  engigement  before  two  .or  more  of  the  faiid  affift- 
^nts  .  f  i!  L'  fniJ  company  for  the  time  being,  unto  whom  we  do,  bjr 
thefe  }  TLie  t.%  give  full  power  and  authority  to  require,  adminiiler, 
or  receive  rKt  iame ;  and  the  faid  ailiftants,  and  every  of  them,  aod 
all  and  e\  e  v  other  officer  or  officers,  to  be  hereafter  e^edted  ihd 

m 

chofen  by  ^  ir;p.L  ot  thefvj  pri^f^nts,  from  time  to  time,  (kail  give  tbt 
like  engage tuints  to  their  offices  and  places  refpedively  belongio|^ 
before  the  governor  or  deputy-governor  for  the  trme  being ;  unto 
which  faid  govtrnor  or  deputy-governor  we  do,  by  thefe  prefentSi 
give  full  powlr  and  authority  to  require,  adminiiler,  or  receive  the |.. 
fame  accordin£:ly.     And  v/c  do  likcwife  for  us,  our  heirs,  and  fuc- 
ceflbrs,  give  and  grant  unto  the  faid  governor  and  company,  and 
their  fucceffors,  by  thefe  prefents,  that  for  the  nnore  peaceable  and 
orderly  government  of  the  faid  plantations,  it  ihall  and  may  be  law- 
ful for  the  governor,  deputy-governor,  afllflants,  and  all  other  o& 
ficers  and  mihifters  of  the  faid  company,  in  the  adminiftration  of L 
juftice  and  exercife  of  government  in  the  faid  plantations^  to  ufc) 
exercife,  and  put  in  execution,  fuch  methods,  rules,  orders,  and  di^ 
re6tions,  not  being  contrary  and  repugnant  to  the  laws  and  f^atutd 
of  this  our  realm,  as  have  been  heretofore  given,  ufed,  and  accoA 
tomed  in  fuch  cafes  refpe<5^iveiy,  to  be  put  in  pradice,  until  at  t\» 
next  or  feme  other  general  alTemb^y,  efpeci^il  proviiion  fhall  be  made' 
in  the  cafes  aforefaid^     And  we  do  farther,  for  u?,  our  heirs  and 
fucceffors,  give  arid  grant  unto  the  faid  governor. and  company,  and 
their  fucceffors,  by  thefe  prefents^  that  it  iliall  and  may  be  lawful  to 
and  for  the  faid  governor,  or,  in  his  abfence,  the  deputy- go Vemot 
and  major  part  of  the  faid  ailiflants  for  the  time  being,  at  any  time 
when  the  faid  general  Affembly  is  not  fitting,  to  nominate,  appoint^ 
and  conilitute  fuch  and  fo  many  commanders,  governors^  and  mili- 
tary officers,  as  to  them  fliall  ieem  requi lite,  for  the  leading,  con- 
duct rig,  and  training  up  the  inhabitants  of  the  faid  plantations  id 
mania!  aflfairs,  and  for  the  defence  and  faf'eguard  of  the  faid  planta- 
tions ;  and  that  it  fhall  and  may  be  lawful  to  and  for  all  ftnd  every 
fuch  commander,  governor^  and  military  officer,  that  iliall  be  (q «^ 
aforeiai^i,  or  by  the  governor,  or  in  his  abfcncc  the  deputy-'govemor 
e.rjd  i'lX  of  the  ailiilants,  and  major  part  of  the  freemen ^f  the 
coii'^pany  paieut  at  any  general  affeaihlies,  nominated,  appdiatc^^^ 


OP    RTTODE-ISLAND.  249 

tnd  conftituted,  according  to  the  tenor  of  his  and  their  refpc(5live 
commiffions  and  dircclior.s,  to  alFcmblc,  excrcife  in  arms,  marflial, 
array,  and  put  in  warlike  pofturc,  the  inhnbitants  of  the  faid  colony, 
for  their  efpeci'.il  defence  and  fafety ;  and  to  lead  and  conduct  the 
faid   inhabitants,  and  to  encounter,  repulfe,  and  refift  by  force  of 
arms,   as  well  by  f^:i  as  by  land,  to  kill,  flay,  and  deftroy,  by  all 
fitting   WLivii,  enterprifes,  r.rd  means  wharfocver,  all  and  ever)' fuch 
perfoa    or   pcrfons  a5  flmll  at  any  time  hcrcafccr  attempt  or  erter- 
prife   the  deftruonon,  iiivafion,  detriment,  or  annoyance  of  the  faid 
inhabitants  or  plantations ;  and  to  ufe  and  cxercife  the  law  martial  in 
fuch  cafe^  only  as  occafion  fliall  necefllirily  require ;  and  to  take  and 
furprife,  by  all  ways  and  means  whatfoevcr,  all  and  every  fuch  per- 
fon   and  perfons,  with  their  Ihip  or  fliips,  armour,  ammunition,  or 
other    goods  of  liich  perfons  as  fliall  in  hoftilc  manner  invade  or  at- 
tempt  the  dertntinjr  of  the  faid  plantation,  or  the  hurt  of  the  faid 
company  and  ininbitarns ;  and  upon  juft  caufes  to  invade  and  de- 
ftroy the  natives,  Ji.diant?,  or  other  enemies  of  the  faid  colony.    Ne- 
verthclcfs,  our  will  and  pleiifure  is,  and  we  do  hereby  decfare  to  the 
reft  of  our  colonies  in  Ncv-England,  that  it  fliall  not  be  lawful  for 
this    our  faid  colony  of  Rhode-Iiland  and  Providence  Plantations,  ia 
New-England,  in  America,  to  invade  the  natives  inhabiting  within  the 
bounds   and  limits  of  their  faid  colonies,  without  the  knowledge  and 
confent  of  the  faid  other  colonies.     And  it  is  hereby  dec'ared,  that  it 
(hall  not  be  lawful  to  or  for  the  refl  of  the  colonics  to  invade  or 
moled  the  native  Indians,  or  any  other  inhabitants,  inhabiting  within 
the  bounds  or  limits  hereafter  mentioned    (they  having  fubje^led 
themfelves  unto  us,  and  being  by  us  taken  into  our  fpecial  pi  ote6lion)- 
tvithout  the  knowledge  and  confent  of  the  .governor  and  company 
of   our  colony  of  Rhode-Ifland  and  Providence  Plantation.     Alfo 
our  will  and  pleafure  is,  and  we  do  hereby  declare  unto  all  Chriftian 
JCings,  Princes,  and  States,  that  if  any  pcrfon,  which  fliall  hereafter 
^  of  tlie  faid  company  or  plantation,  or  any  other  by  appointment 
•>f  the  faid  governor  and  company  for  the  time  being,  fliall  at  any 
time  or  times  hereafter  rob  or  fpoil,  by  fea  or  l:md,-or  do  any  hurt, 
or  unlawful  hoilility,  to' any  of  the  fubjcv^s  of  us,  our  heirs  and 
"ccefTors,  or  to  any  of  the  fubjefts  of  any  Prince  or  State  being 
^^  in  league  with  us,  our  heirs  and  fucccfl'ors ;  upon  complaint  of 
"^'^  injury  done  to  any  fuch  Prince  or  State,  or  their  ful^jccls, 
*   ^Ur  heirs  and  fucceflbrs,  will  make  open  proclamation,  within 
•     P^rts  of  our  re-lms  of  England  fit  for  that  purpofe,  that  the 
■^  *-.  II.  K  k  perioii 


250  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

perfon  or  perfons  committing  any  fucb  robbery  or  fpoil  fhall,  witkm 
the  time  limited  by  fuch  proclamation,  make  full  reftitution  or  iatis^ 
fa^ioa  of  all  fuch  injuries  done  or  committed,  fo  as  the  ikid  prince^ 
or  others  fo  complaining,  may  be  fully  fatisfied  and  contented ;  and 
if  the  faid  perfon  or  perfons  who  fhall  commit  any  fuch  robbery  or 
fpoil,  fhall  not  make  fatisfa^ion  accordingly,  within  fuch  time  fo  to 
be  limited,  that  then  wc,  our  heirs  and  fucceflbrs,  will  put  fuch  per- 
fon or  perfons  out  of  our  allegiance  and  protection  ;  and  that  then  it 
fhall  and  may  be  lawful  and  free  for  all  princes,  or  others,  to  pro- 
fecutc  with  hoftility  fuch  offenders,  and  every  of  them,  their  and 
every  of  their  procurers,  aiders,  abettors,  and  counfellors,  in  that, 
behalf.  Provided  alfo,  and  our  exprefs  will  and  pleafure  is,  and  we 
do  by  thefe  prcfents,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  fucceffprs,  ordain  and 
appoint,  that  thefe  prefents  fhall  not  in  aqy  manner  hinder  any  of 
our  loving  fubjefts  whatfoever  from  ufing  and  exercifing  the  trade 
of  fifhing  upon  the  coafl  of  New-England,  in  America,  but  that 
they,  and  every  or  any  of  them,  fliall  have  full  and  free  power  and 
liberty  to  continue  and  ufe  the  trade  of  fifhing  upon  the  faid  coail, 
in  any  of  the  feas  thereunto  adjoining,  or  any  iirms  of  the  fea,  or 
fait  water,  rivers  and  creeks,  where  they  have  been  accufloraed  to 
fifh,  and  to  build  and  fet  upon  the  wa{i:e  land  belonging  to  the  (aid 
(folony  and  plantations  fuch  wharfs,  flages,  and  workhouf^  as  ihali 
be  necefTary  for  the  falting,  drying,  and  keeping  of  their  fifli  to  be 
taken  or  gotten  upon  that  coafl.  Aj^d  farther,  for  the  encourage- 
ment of  the  inhabitants  of  our  faid  colony  of  Providence  Plantatioa 
to  fet  upon  the  bulinefs  of  taking  whales,  it  fhall  b^  lawful  for  thcoOf 
or  any  of  them,  having  flruck  a  whale,  dubertus,  or  other  grea^ 
fifli,  it  or  them  to  purfue  unto  that  coafl,  and  into  any  bay,  river^ 
cove,  creek  or  fhore,  belonging  thereto,  and  it;  or  them,  up^*' 
the  faid  coafl:,  or  in  the  faid  bay,  river,  cove,  creek,  or  fho^^ 
belonging  thereto,  to  kill  and  order  for  the  beft  advantage,  vfitt*- 
out  moleflation,  they  making  no  wilful  wafle  or  fpoil ;  a^2 
thing  in  thefe  prefents  contained,  or  any  other  matter  or  thi'*^ 
to  the  contrary  notwithflanding.  And  farther  alfo,  we  are  g"^ 
cioufly  pleafed,  and  do  hereby  declare,  that  if  any  of  the  inhatl^^ 
tants  of  our  faid  colony  do  fet  upon  the  planting  of  vineyard  ^ 
(the  foil  and  climate  both  feeming  naturally  to  concur  to  the  p^^ 
dudtioji  of  wines)  or  be  induflrious  in  ^Ke  difcovery  of  fiftiir*^ 
banks,  in  or  about  the  faid  colony,  we  will,  from  time  to  time,  g^'^* 
and  allow  all  due  and  fitting  encouragement  therein,  as  to  other*    •^ 


,  OF    RHODE-ISLAND.  2£t 

fes  of  like  nature.  And  farther,  of  our  more  ample  grace,  cer- 
iQ  knowledge,  and  mere  motion,  we  have  given  and  granted,  and 
r  thefe  prefents,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  fucceflbrs,  do  give  and 
•ant,  unto  the  faid  governor  and  company  of  the  Englifli  colony 
:  Rhode-Ifland  and  Providence  Plantation,  in  the  Narraganfet  bay, 
i  New-England,  in  America,  and  to  every  inhabitant  there,  and  to 
irery  perfon  and'^perfons  trading  thither,  and  to  every  fuch  perfoa 
r  perfons  as  are  or  fliall  be  free  of  the  faid  colony,  full  power 
nd  authority,  from  time  to  time,  and  at  all  times  hereafter,  to  take, 
hip,  tranfport,  and  carry  away,  out  of  any  of  our  realms  and  do- 
ninions,  for  and  towards  the  plantation  and  defence  of  the  faid  co- 
ony,  fuch  and  fo  many  of  our  loving  fubjedts  and  ftrangers,  as  fliall 
>r  will  willingly  accompany  them  in  and  to  their  faid  colony  and 
)Iantation,  except  fuch  perfon  or  perfons  as  arc  or  fhall  be  therein 
eilrained  by  us,  our  heirs  and  fucceflbrs,  or  any  law  or  fiatute  of 
bis  realm ;  and  alfo  to  fliip  and  tranfport  all  and  all  manner  of  goods, 
battels,  merchandize,  and  other  things  whatfoever,  that  are  or  fliall 
le  ufeful  or  necefl^ary  for  the  faid  plantations,  and  defence  thereof, 
nd  ufually  tranfported,  and  not  prohibited  by  any  law  or  ftatute  of 
his  our  realm ;  yielding  and  paymg  unto  us,  our  heirs  and  fucceflbrs, 
uch  the  duties,  cufloms  and  fubfldies,  as  are  or  ought  to  be  paid 
•r  payable  for  the  fame.  And  farther,  our  will  and  pleafure  is, 
nd  we  do,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  fucceflbrs,  ordain,  declare  and 
rant,  unto  the  faid  governor  and  company,-  and  their  fucceflbrs, 
'at  all  and  eveiy  the  fubjeds  of  us,  our  heirs  and  fucceflbrs, 
^ich  are  already  planted  and  fettled  within  our  faid  colony  of  Pro- 
dence  Plantation,  or  which  fliall  hereafter  go  to  inhabit  within  the 
'<i  Colony,  and  all  and  every  of  their  children  which  have  been 
'"n  there,  or  which  fliall  happen  hereafter  to  be  born  there,  or  on 
*  fea  going  thither  ot  returning  from  thence,  fliall  have  and  enjoy 

liberties  and  immunities  of  free  and  natural  fubje£ls,  within  any 
^  dominions  of  us,  our  heirs  and  fucceflbrs,  to  all  intents,  con« 
^^<^ions,  and  purpofes  whatfoever,  as  if  they  and  every  of  them 
^^  born  within  the  realm  of  England.  And  farther  know  ye,  that 
>  of  our  more  abundant  grace,  certain  knowledge,  and  mere  mo- 
'^>  ixave  given,  granted  and  confirmed,  and  by  thefe  prefents^  for  us, 

h^irs  and  fucceflbrs,  do  give,  grant  and  confirm  unto  the  faid 
"^^^lior  and  company,  and  their  fucceflbrs,  .all  that  part  of  our  do^ 
''^xis  in  New-England,   in  America,   containing  the  Nahantick 

i^anhyganfett,  alias  Narraganfet  bay,  and  countries  and  parts 

K  k  »  ad. 


4^X2  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

.adjacent,  bounded  on  the  weft,  or  weftcrly,  to  the  middle  or  chan- 
nel of  a  river  there,  comiuonly  civlkd  and  known  by  the  name  of 
Pawcatuck,  alias  Pawcawtuck  river,  and  fo  along  the.  faid  river^ 
as  the  greater  or  middle  ftream  thereof  reacheth  or  lies  up  into 
the  north  country,  northward  unto  the  head  thereof,  and  from 
thence  by  a  llrait  line  drawn  due  north,  until  it  meet  with  the 
fouth  line  of  the  MaiTachufctts  colonv,  and  on  the  north  or 
Northerly,  by  the  aforcfaid  fouth  or  foutherly  line  of  the  .MaiTa- 
chufctts cblony  or  plantation,  and  extending  towards  the  eaft 
or  eaftwardly  three  Englifli  mile?,  to  the  ealt:  and  north-eaft  of  the 
xnoft  eaftern  and  north-eadern  parts  of  tb.e  aforefaid.Narraganfet 
bay,  as  the  iaid  bay  lieth  or  extendi. th  itfclt  from  the  ocean  on  the 
fouth  or  fouthwardlv,  unto  the  moutli  of  the  river  which  runneth 
towards  the  town  of  Providence,  and  from  thence  along  the  eaft- 
wai'dly  fide  or  bank  of  the  faid  river,  (hi^^hcr  called  by  the  name  of 
Seacunck .  river)  up  to  the  fails  called  Patucket  p'alls,  being  the  rooft 
weftwardly  line  of  Plymouih  colony;  ami  fo  from  the  faid  fells,  in 
a  ftrait  line  due  north,  until  it  meet  with  the  aforelkid  line  of  the 
JMafTachufetts  colony,  and  boun(Jpd  on  the  fouth  by  the  ocean,  and 
in  particular  the  lands  belonging  to  the  tov/ns  of  Providence,  Patuxir, 
Warwicke,  Mifquaramacock,  alias  Pawcatuck,  and  the  reil  upon 
the  main  land,  in  the  trad  aforefaid,  together  with  Rhode-Iflandi' 
Blocke-Iiland,  and  all  the  reft  of  the  iilands  and  banks  in  the  Nar- 
raganfet  Jjay,  and  bprdering  upon  the  ccaft  of  tlie  tra£l  aforefaid, 
.(Fiflier's  ifland  only  excepted)  together  v/ith  all  firm  lands,  foils,= 
pounds,  havens,  ports,  rivers,  v/aters,  fifliings,  mines  royal,  and  all 
other  mines,  mincr;^ls,  precious  ftones,  quarries,  woods,  wood- 
grounds,  rocks,  ftates,  and  all  and  fingiilarother  commodities,  jurii- 
diftions,  royalties,  privileges,  franchifes,  prc-eminencies,  and  here- 
ditaments wharicevcr,  within  the  faid  trad-,  bounds,  land^,  and 
iflands  aforefaid,  to  them  or  any  of  them  belonging,  or  in  any  wife 

• 

appertaining.     To  have  and  to  hold  the  fame  unto  the  faid  gover- 
liorand  company,   and  their  fucceffors  for  ever,    upon  truft,^for 
the  ufe  and  benelit  of  thcmfclves  and  their  afTociates^  freemcu  of  the 
faid  colony,  their  heirs  and  afligns.     To  be  holden  of  us,  our  heirs 
and  fucceffors,  as  of  the  manner  of  Ea?ft- Greenwich,  in  our  county 
of  Ke:it,  in  free  and-  common  foccage,  and  not  in  capitcy  nor  h^ 
knights  fervice.     Yielding  and  paying  therefor  to  us,  our  heirs  and 
fiiccefTors,  only  the  fifth  part  of  all  the  ore  of  gold  and  lilver,  whicly^ 
{irom  time  totimej  and  at  all  times  hereafter,  flroll  be  there  gotteo,  h.*^^ 


-tv, 


;.02'. 


OF    RHODE-ISLAND*  2j;j 

lijfied,  in  lieu  and  fatlsfa^^ion  of  all  fervices,  dudes,  fines,  for  • 
5,.  made  or  to  be  made,  claims  or  demands  whatlbever,  to  bar 
our  heirs  or  fucceiTors,  therefor  or  thereabout  rendered,  made 
d ;  any  grant  or  clauf^,  in  a  late  grant  to  the  governor  and 
ly  of  Connedicut  colony  in  America,  to  the  contrary  tliereof 
wife  notwithftanding ;  thcf  aforefaid  Pawcatuck  river  haying 
ielded  after  much  debate,  for  the  fixed  and  certain  bound* 
n  thefe  our  faid  colonies,  by  the  agents  thereof;  who  have 
reed,  that  the  faid  Pawcatuok  river  fhall  alfo  be  called  alia^ 
jancett  or  Narroganfett  river,  and  to  prevent  future  difputcs 
:herwife  might  arife  thereby,  for  ever  hereafter  fliall  be  con- 
deemed,  and  taken  to  be  the  Narrogancett  river,  in  our  late 

0  Connedicut  colony,  raentioncd,as  the  eafterly  bounds  of  tjial 
.  And  farther,  our  will  and  pleafure  is,  that  in  all  matters  of 
controverfies,  which  may  fall  out  between  our  colony  of  Coa- 
t  and  Providence  Plantation,  to  make  their  appeal  therein  to  us, 
rs  and  fucccfTors,  for  redrefs  in  fuch  cafes,  within  this  our  realm 
;Iaftd :  and  that  it  fhall  be  lawful  to  and  for  the  inhabitants  of 
d  colony  of  Providenfe  plantation,  without  lett  or  moleftation 

1  and  repafs  with  freedom  into  and  through  the  reft  of  the 
I  colonies  upon  their  lawful  and  civil  occafions,  and  to  coH'* 
and  hold  commerce,  and  trade  with  fuch  of  the  inhabitants  of 
her  Englifli  colonies  as  lliall  be  willing  to  admit  them  there*' 
hey  behaving  themfelves  peaceably  among  them ;  any  a(5t^ 
or  fentence,  in  any  of  the  faid  colonies  provided,  or  that  fliall 

vided,  to  the  contrary  in  any  wife  notwithftanding,-  And 
ive  do  for  us/  our  heirs  and  fucccflbrs,  ordain  and  grant  unto 
I  governor  and  company,  and  their  fucceflbrs,  by  thefe  pre- 
hait  thefe  our  letters  patents  Ihall  be  firm,  good,  efifeduaV 
ailable,  in  all  things  in  the  law,  to  all  intents,  conftrudion* 
rpofes  whatfoever,  according  to  our  tnie  intent  and  meaning 
before  declared;  and  fhall  be  conflrued,  reputed  and  adjudged 
:afes,  mofl  favourably  on  the  behalf,  a;nd  for  the  befl  benefit 
hoof  of  the  faid  governor  and  company,  and  their  fuccefFoi*s| 
;h  exprefs  mention,  &c.     In  witnefs,  &c.  witnefs,  &c. 

Fer  tpfum  Regem^ 
;  the  foregoing  flieets  went  to  prefs,  Mr.  Cooper's  valuable 
intitled  "  Some  Infortnatlon  rcfpeHing  America^^  has  been  pulH 
-with  his  obfervations  we  fliall  conclude  our  account  of  this 

«  Rhode- 


254  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION,   &C. 

'*  fthode-Ifland,  in  point  of  climate  and  produ(5^ionsy  as  well  ai 
in  appearance,  is  perhaps  the  mofl  fimilar  to  Great-Britain  of  any 
State  in  the  Union.    The  winters  are  fomevvhat  longer  and  iiiore  fe-. 
vere,   the  fummers,  perhaps,  a  little  wariner :    but  it  participates 
with  Great-Britain  in  fame  tneafure  in  the  defeats  of  climate,  being 
from  its  fitujltion  fubjeft  to  a  nioifter  atmofphere  *  than  many  of 
the  other  States.   The  foil  of  Rhode-Ifland  alfo  (thbugh  hot  in  gene- 
ral of  a  good  quality)  is  too  much  improved,  and  the  land  too  much 
divided  to  admit  of  anjr  large  contiguous  purchafes  as  a  fpeculation* 
though  fingle  farms  at  a  rate  comparatively  moderatie  might  be  pro- 
cured here :  this,  however,  is  owing  to  a  decay  of  trade  in  this  par^ 
of  Americaj  and  to  the  inhabitants  themfelves  quitting  their  fitu^^ 
tions  for  the  profpe6t  of  a  more  advantageous  trade.    It  is  rath^^ 
adapted  for  a  grazing  than  a  corn  country ;  fcantily  timbered,  conn  ^ 
paratively  plentiful  in  milk  and  butter,  and  cheefe ;  but  not  abound^ 
ing  in  what  the  Americans  term  good  or  Hch  land.    The  divilion  f>^ 
property,  however,  and  its  prefent  tendency  rather  to  decrcafe  tha.^ 
increafe  in  value,  renders  it  ineligible  for  moft  Britifh  fettlers." 


*  This  obfcrvadon  is  applicable  to  the  vicinity  of  N«w-York  alfo>  where  tlj^=  3 
find  that  wood  intended  for  ufe  in  the  fouthern  climates  cannot  be  fufficientlj  feafonc?  ^ 
la  Pennfylvania  it  may.  Indeed  this  remark  will  evidently  apply  to  the  whole  nonl 
C^ai^oaft  of  America. 


STATB 


(     ^5S     ) 


STATE    OF 


CONNECTICUT, 


SITUATION,  EXTENT,   AND  BOUNDARIES. 

.  HIS  State  is  fituated  between  41®  and  42?  2'  nqnh  latitude,  and 
50'  and  3**  20'  eaft  longitude  from  Philadelphia.  Jts  length 
iboiit  eighty-two  miles,  and  its  breadth  fifty-feven.  It  is  bounde4 
the  north  by  M^flachufetts,  on  the  eaft  by  Rhode-Ifland,  on  the 
ith  by  the  Sound,  which  divides  it  from  Long-Ifland,  and  on  the 
ft  by  the  State  of  New-York. 

The  divifipnal  lin^  betweea  Connecticut  and  MgfTachufetts,  at 
tied  in  17 13,  was  found  to  be  about  feventy-two  miles  in  length. 
be  line  dividing  Connecticut  from  Rhode-Ifland  was  Icttled  ia 
a8,  and  found  to  be  about  forty-five  miles.  The  fea  coaft,  froni 
e  mouth  of  Paukatuk  river,  which  forms  a  part  of  the  eaftem 
»undary  of  Connecticut,  in  a  direCl  fouth-wefterly  line  tq  the  mouth 
By  ram  river,  is  reckoned  at  ^bout  ninety  miles.  The  line  be- 
recn  Connecticut  and  New- York  runs  from  latitude  41^  to 
titude  42''  2',  feventy-two  mil^s.  Thus  Connecticut  contains  about 
"ur  thoufand  fix  hundred  and  feventy-four  fquare  miles,  equal  t^ 
>out  two  millions  fix  hundred  and  forty  thoufand  ^cres. 

AIR  AND  CUMATE. 

•  »  • 

Connecticut,  though  fubjeCt  to  thp  e:^treme6  of  heat  and  cold  i^ 
*ir  feafons,  and  to  frequent  fudden  changes,  is  very  healthful. 
^e  north-weft  winds,  in  the  winter  fpafon,  are  often  extremely  fe- 
^e  and  piercing,  occafioped  by  the  great  body  of  fnow  which  lies 
'^cealed"  from  the  diffolving  influence  of  the  fun,  in  the  immenfe 
^cfts  north  and  north-weft.  The  clear  and  ferenc  temperature  of 
^  fty,  however,  makes  amends  for  the  feverity  of  the  weather,  and 
^vourable  to  health  and  longevity.  In  the  maritime  tdwns  the 
^thtr  is  variable,  according  as  the  wind  blows  from  the  fea  or 

land; 


5156  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

land;  but  in  the  interior  of  the  country,  the  fea  breezes  having    -*^^ 
cffcfft  upon  the  air,  confequently  the  weather  is  Jefs.  variable. 

FACE  OF  THE  COUNTRY,  SEA  COAST,  &c. 

Coftne(^icut  is   generally  broken'  land,   made  up  of  mountai  ^^p 
bills;  and  vullics.     It  is  laid  out  in  fniall  farms,  from  fifty  to  th  I'ce 
pr  four  hundred  acres  each,  which  are  held  by  the  farmers  in  f^e 
£mple,  and  are  generally  cultivated  as  well  as  the  natulc  of  the  foil 
will  admit.     The  State  is  chequered  with  innumerable  roads  or  high- 
ways, croffijig  each  ctl>er  in  every  dircvflion.   .  A  traveller,  in  any  ci 
thefe  roads,  even  in  the  mril  uirlulcd  p?,rt3  of  the  State,  will  fcl- 
dom  pals  iiiore  than  two  or  three  miles  without  finding  a  houfe  or 
cottage,  ar,d  a  farm  urfder  fach  improvements  as  to  afford  the  necci- 
faiies  for  liie  fnpport  of  a  family.  The  whole  State  refembles  a  well* 
cultivated  garden,  which,  with  that  degree  of  induftry  that  is  ne- 
celTary  to  ljaj;j)inefs,  produces  th<^  neccfl'aries  and  conveniencics  of 
Jife  in  great  plenty ;  it  is  exceedingly  well  watered  by  numerous  j 
Vivers,  but  the.  princir:^!  is  that  which  gives  its  name  to  this  State  ^ 
this  we  have  already  delcribed.* 

The  H(;uf:itonick  f  palles  through  a  number  of  pleafant  towqsit* 
this  State,  and  empties  into  the  found  between  Stratford  and  Milfold"* 
it  is  navigable  twelve  miles  to  Derby.     A  bar  of  fliells,  at  its  inoutl»i» 
f)bftru6ls  its  navigation  for  large  veflfels.      In  this  river,  betwer' 
Salifbury  and  Canann,  is  a  catara<^,  where  the  water  of  the  vfhot* 
liver,  which*  is  one  hundred  and*fifty  yards  wide,  falls  about 
feet  perpendicular,  in  a  perfe<5l  white  |hcet,  exhibiting  a  fcenc 
teedingly  grand  and  beautiful, 

Naugntiilc  is  a  fmall  river  which  rifes  in  Torrington,  andemptic 
into  the  liouratonlck  at  Derby.  • 

The  Ihamcs  empties  into  Long-Ifiand  found  a^  New-London : 
fe  navigable  fourteen  miles  to  Norwich  Landing :  here  it  lofcs  it^ 
name,  and  branches  into  Shetucket  on  the  eaft,  and  Norwich 
Little  river  on  the  weft.  Thccity  of  Norwich  ftands  on  the  tonji^-^ 
t)f  land  between  thefe  rivers.  Little  river,  about  a  mile  from  i^-^ 
mouth,  Ijas  a  remarkable  and  very  romantic  cataract.  A  rock,^te 
or  twelve  feet  in  perpendicular  height,  extends  quite  acrofs  the  chat 
nel  of  the  river:  over  this  the  whole  river  pitches,  ihoncentii 
flitet,  upon  a  bid  of  rocks  below.    Here  thfe  river  is  comprefled  io' 

*  Page  n.         f  An  Indian  natiie,.  fignifyirg  Over  tki  Mventaiji, 

I  avcry  J 


OF.  CONNECTICUT.  t^J^ 

f  narrow  channel  between  two  craggy  cWSSf  one  of  which 
^  to  a  confiderable  height :  the  channel  delceadi  graduailj^.iar 
crooked,  and  covered  witE  pointed  rocks.  iJpoa  thpfe  th^ 
'  fwiftly  tumbles,  foaming  with  the  moft  violonx  agrtation,  fif*^ 
>r  twenty  rods,  into  a  broad  bafon  which  fpreads  before  it*  Af. 
3ttom  of  the  perpendicular  falls,  the  rocks  are  coriouily  exqa- 
by  the  conflant  pouring  of  the  water :  fome  of  the  cavities,! 
are  all  of  a  circular^form,  are  five  or  fix  feet  deep.  Thefionooth- 
f  the  water  above  its  defcent — the  regularity  and  beauty  of  the 
idicular  fall — the  tremendous  roughnefs  of  the  other,  and  tb^ 
\  towering  cliff  which  impends  the  whole  prefents  to  the 
)f  the  fpedator  a  fcene  indefcribably  delightful  and  majefUc^ 
is  river  are  fome  of  the  Hnefl  mill  feats  in  New«£ngland ;  and 
mmediately  below  the  falls,  occupied  by  Lathrop's  mills,  arcy 
»s,  not  exceeded  by  any  in  the  world.  Acrofs  the  mouth  of 
ver  is  a  broad,  commodious  bridge,  in  the  form  of  a  wharf^ 
t  a'great  expenfe. 

:ucket  river,  the  other  branch  of  the  Thames,  four  miles  from 
uth,  receives  Quinnabogue,  which  has  its  fource  in  Brimfield 
Tachufctts ;  thence  pafling  through  Sturbridge  and.Dudley  in 
:huretts,  it  croiTes  into  Conne6ticut,  and  divides  Fomfret  from 
^ly,  Canterbury  from  Plainfield,  and  Lifbon  from  Frefton^ 
ie;n  (piugles  with  the  Shetucket.  In  paffing  through  this  hilly 
y,  it  tumbles  over  many  foils,  two  of  which,  one  inThompr 
le  other  in  Brooklyn,  are  thirty  feet  each  ;  this  river  affords  a 
imber  of  fine  mill  feats.  In  its  courfe  it  receives  a  great  number 
utary  ftreams,  the  principal  of  Which  are  Muddy  Brook,  and  Five 
iver.  Shetucket  river  is  fprmed  by  the  jundion  of  Willaman- 
cid  Mount  Hope  riversj  which  unite  between  Wyndham  and 
on.  In  Lifbon  it  receives  Little  river ;  ^nd  at  a  little  diflance 
r  the  Quinnabogue,  and  empties  as  above.  .  Thefe  rivers  are, 
I,  fed  by  numberlefs  brooks  from  every  part  of  the  adjacent 
y. — At  the  mouth  of  Shetucket  is  a  bridge  of  timber  one  hun^ 
ind  twenty-four  feet  in  length,  fupported  at  each  end  by, 
I  and  held  up  in  the  middle  by  braces  on  the  top,  in  the  na- 
an  arch. 

catuck  river  is  an  inconfiderable  flream  which  heads  in  Sto«' 
i„  and  empties  into  Stonington  harbour.    It  forms  part  of  the 
g  line  between  Connecticut  and  Rbode«Iilandf 
>«n,  LI  Eal^ 


458  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

-'  Eafi,  or  North-'Haven  river,  rifirs  in  Southington,  not  farfmf 
bend'in  Farmington  riveri  and  paffing  through  Wallingfiord  ud 
North*Haven,  falls  into  New-Haren  harbour. — ^It  has  been  is 
Contecnplatton  to  conned  the  fourcc  of  this  river  with  Farmings 
river.- 

'  £a(l  and  Weft  rivers  are  moonfidemble  lhreamS|  bounding  the  off 
af'New-^Haven  on  the  eaft  and  wefl. 

Weft  of  the  Houiatonick  are  a  number  of  fmall  rivers,  which  M 
into  the  found;  Among  thcfe  is  Byrani  river,  noticeable  only  tf 
forming  a  part  of  the  boundary  between  New- York  and  ConncdicKi 
But  heither  this,  nor  any  of  the  others^  are  considerable  enou^to 
merit  partichUr  attention. 

V  The  two  principal- harbours  in  this  btate  are  at  New-London 
New*Havcn..   The  former  opens  to  the  fouth.     From  the  liglit* 
houfe,  which  Hands  at  the  mouth  of  the  harbour,  to  the  town,  ii 
about  three  miles;    the  breadth  is  three  quarters  of  a  mile,  andm 
fome  places  more.  The  harbour  has  from  five  to  fix  fathoms  watef-<* 
^  clear  bottdm-«-t6ugh,  ooze,  and  as  far  as  one  mile  above  the  to\n 
ss  entirely  fecure,  and  commodious  for  large  ihips« 
'    New-Haven  harbour  is  greatly  inferior  to  that  of  New-Londofcl 
It  is  a  bay  which  fets  up  northerly  from  the  found,  about  four  mikfcj 
Its  entrance  is  about  half  a  mile  wide.    It  hafr  very  good  anchorage^ 
and  two  and  a  half  fathom  at  low  water,  and  three  fathom  and  four 
feet  at  common  tide^. 

About  a  mile  from  the  town,  on  the  channel,  a  pier  is  ere^cd>  < 
which  veflels  of  fuch  fize  as  cannot  come  up  to  the  wharf,  lade  ani , 
unlade.  •  A  fum  of  money  iias  htely  been  raifed  by  lottery  for  the 
purpofe  of  extending  the  long  wharf  to  this  pier,  and  the  wotk  t* 
partly  accompliihed  ;  when  completed^  this  wharf  will  be  the  longefl 
m  the  United  States,  ^d  will  be  a  vail  benefit  to  the  towii. 

The  whole  of  the  fea  coaft  is  indented  with  harbours,  many  O 
which  are  iafe  and  cbmnK)diou8,  but  are  not  fufficientlj  ufed  1^ 
merle  a  defcription.   . 

SOIL,   PRODUCTIONS,  &c. 

Some  fmall  parts  of  the  foil  of  this  State  are  thm  and  barren,  bC* 
m  general  it  is  ftrong  and  fertile.  Its  prirlcipal  produ^Hons  are  Ir^^ 
dian  corn,  ryc^  wheat,  in  many  parts  of  the  State,  oats,  and  bariej^ 
which  are  heavy  and  good,  and  of  late,  buck  wheat— -flax  in  lar^ 
Quantities— fome  hemp,  potatoes  of  feveral  kinds,  punapkiwy  ta» 


OF   CONNECTICUT*  '^59 

pSy  peasy  beans»  &c.&c.  fruits  of  all  kinds,  whicli. arc  common 
the  climate.  The  foil  is  very  well  calculated  for  paftureaod 
owing,  which  enables  the  farmers  to  feed  large  numbers  of  neat 
ittJe  and  horfes.  A(fhial  calculation  has  evinced,  that  any  given 
uantity  of  the  befl-  mowing  land  in  Conno<^icut  produces  about 
^ice  as  much  clear  profit,  as  the  fame  quantity  of  the  beft  wheat 
ind  in  the  State  of  New- York.  Many  farmers,  in  tlie  eaftern  part 
f  the  State,  have  lately  found  their  advantage  in  raifing  mules^  which 
e  carried  from  the  ports  of  Norwich  and  New-London  to  the  Weft- 
tdia  iflands,  and  yield  a  handfome  profit.  The  beef,  pork,  butter, 
id  cheefe  of  Connedticut,  are  ^equal  to  any  in  the  world. 
On  the  bank  of  Connecticut  river,  two  miles  from  Middleton,  n 
lead  mine,  which  was  wrought  during  the  war,  at  the  expeoie  of 
e  State,  and  was  productive,  but  it  is  fuppofed  to  be  too  expenfive  to 
3rk  in  time  of  peace.  Copper  mines  have  been  difcovered  and 
•ened  in  feveral  parts  of  the  State,  but  have  proved  unprofitable, 
dare  much  neglected.  Iron  ore  abounds  in  many  parts  of  the 
ate.  Talks  of  various  kinds,  white,  brown,  and  chocolate  co-* 
ured  cryilals,  zink  or  fpelter,  a  femi-metal,  and  feveral  other  fof- 
i  and  metals,  hav€  been  found  in  different  parts  of  this  State.  At 
afford  there  is  a  medicinal  fpring,  which  is  faid  to  be  a  foverei^  ro- 
edy  for  fcorbutlc,  cutaneous,  and  other  diforders* 

CIVIL  DIVISIONS. 

/ 

Connecticut  is  divided  into  eight  counties,  viz.  Hartford,  New* 
taven,  New-London,  Fairfield,  Wyndham,  Litchfield,  Middlefea^, 
id  Tolland ;  thefe  are  divided  into  about  one  hundred  townfhips* 
Jeh  townfliip  is  a  corporation,  invefted  with  power  to  hold  lands, 
lOofe  their  own  town  officers,  to  make  prudential  laws,  the  penalty 
tranfgreiSon  not  to  exceed  twenty  fliillings,  and  to  choofe  their 
9n  reprefentatives  to  the  General  AfTembly.  The-  townfhips 
c  generally  divided  into  two  or  more  parifhes,  in  each  of  which 
one  or  more  places  for  public  worfhip,  and  fchool  houfes  at  con« 
nicnt  diftances. 

CHIEF  TOWNS  AND  CURIOSITIES, 

There  are  a  great  number  of  very  pleafant  towns,  both  mai;itinae 
I  inland,  in  Connecticut.  It  contains  five  cities,  incorporated  with 
^*Jfive  jurifdiCtion  in  civil  caufes.    Two  of  thefe,  Hartford  ^nd 

LI  %  New* 


'^6^  GE>fEftAL    DESGRIPTION 

Nc%-Havcn,  arc  capitals  of  the  State.  The  General  Aflcmbly  is  bolkt 
%t  the  fornoer  in  May,  and  at  the  latter  in  O^ober,  aonuaUy.  ' 

HARTFORD. 

Hartford  city  is  fituated  at  the  head  of  the  navigation  on  the  wd 
fide  of  Conne^licut  river,  about  fifty  miles  from  its  entrance  iDtotbe 
found.  Its  buildings  are  a  (late  houfe,  two  churches  for  Congregi- 
tionalifls,  a  diilillery,  befides  upwards  of  three  hundred  dwcUing 
houfet,  a  number  of  which  are  handfomely  built  with  brick. 

The  town  is  divided  by  a  fraall  river,  with  high  romantic  banks. 
Over  this  river  is  a  bridge,  connecting  the  two  divifions  of  the  town. 
Hartford  is  advantageoufiy  fituated  for  trade,  has  ia  very  fine  brt 
countiy,  enters  largely  into  the  manufafturing  bufinefs,  and  \i  t 
'rich,  flourifhing,  commercial  town.  A  bank  has  lately  been  eihl)* 
lifiied  in  this  city. 

N£W-HAVEM« 

This*  city  lies  round  the  head  of  a  bay,  which  makes  up  about ftwr 
'miles  north  from  the  found.  It  covers  part  of  a  large  plain,  whU 
19  circumfcribed  on  three  fides  by  high  hills  or  mountains.  Ti^ 
Ymall  rivers  bound  the  city  eafi  and  weft.  The  town  was  erigioallf 
l£d  out  in  fquares  of  fixty  rods.  Many  of  the  fquares  have  bea 
divided  by  crofs  ftreets.  Four  ftreets  run  north-weft  and  foutlhei4>| 
thefe  are  croffed  by  others  at  right  angles.  Near  the  center  of  the 
city  is  the  public  fqiiare;  on  and  around  which  are  the.puU'ic 
'buildings,  which  are,  a^ftate  houfe,  college,  and  chapeJ,thr«* 
churches  for  Congregationalifts,  and  one  for  Epifcopalians.  The* 
are  all  handfome  and  commodious  buildings.  The  college,  chap^ 
flatc  houfe,  and  one  of  the  churches,  are  of  brick.  The  public  fqu^ 
is  encircled  with  rows  of  trees,  which  render  it  both  convenient  and  9 
lightftil.  It's  beauty,  however,  is  greatly  diminiftied  by  the  bur3 
ground,  *  and  feveral  of  the  public  buildings,  which  occupy  a  confufl 
table  part  of  it. 

'  Many  of  the  ftreets  are  ornamented  with  two  rows  of  trees,  one  ^ 
each  fide,  which  gives  the  city  a  rural  appearance.  The  profp«^ 
from  the  fteeples  is  greatly  variegated  and  extremely  beautifs- 
There  are  about  five  hundred  dwelling  houfcs  in  the  city,  princ: 
pally  of  wood,  and  well  built,  and  fome  of  them  elegant.  T"3 
ftttets  are  fandy,  but  neat  and  cleanly;  Within  the  limits  of  t9 
city  are*  four  thoufand  inhabitants.  About  one  in  feveniy  die  a^ 
xmaUy ;  this  proves  the  heaithfulnefe  of  its  clunate*    Indeed,  as 


OF    CONNECTICUT.  i6l 

intnefs  of  fituation  and  falubrity  of  air,  New-Haven  is  not  ex* 
d  by  •  any  city  in  America.  It  carries  on  a  confiderable  trade 
New-York  and  the  Weft-India  iilandsi  has  feveral  kinds  of 
ifadures,  and  isi  flourifhing. 

NEW-LONDON. 

lis  city  ftands  on  the  weft  fide  of  the  river  Thames,  near  its  cn- 
e  into  the  found,  in  latitude  41®  25'.  It  has*  two  places  for 
c  worftiip,  one  for  Epifcopalians,  and  one  for  Congregation^ 
;  about  three  hundred  dwelling  houfes,  and  four  thoufand  fix 
red  inhabitants.  Its  harbour  is  the  beft  in  Gonnedicut.  It  is 
ided  by  Fort  Trumbull  and  Fort  Grifwold,  the  one  in  Ncw- 
on,  the  other  in  Groton.  A  confiderable  part  of  the  town  was 
t  by  Benedict  Arnold  in  1781.    This  part  has  fince  been  re« 

NORWICH. 

srwich  ftands  at  the  head  of  Thames  river,  fourteen  miles  north 
New-London.  It  is  a  commercial  city,  has  a  rich  and  extettfive 
country,  and  avails  itfelf  of  its  natural  advantages  at  the  head 
e  navigation.  Its  fituation  upon  a  river,  which  affords  a  great 
ber  of  convenient  feats  for  mills  and  water-machines  of  all  kinds, 
ers  it  very  eligible  in  a  manufa^uring  view, 
he  inhabitants  are  not  negle6tfiil  of  the  advantages  which  nature 
fo  liberally  given  them.  They  manufefture  paper  of  all  kinds, 
:ings,  clocks,  and  watches,  chaifes,  buttons,  ftone  and  earthen 
:,  wire,  oil,  chocolate,  bells,  anchors,  and  all  kinds  of  forge 
:.  The  city  contains  about  four  hundred  and  fifty  dwelllng- 
bs,  a  court-houfe,  and  two  churches  for  Congregationalifts,  and 
<)r  Epifcopalians,  and  about  three  thoufand  inhabitants.  The 
is  in  three  detached,  compact-  divifions ;  viz.  Chelfea,  at  the 
ng,  the  town,  and  Bean  Hill ;  in  the  latter  divifion  is  an  aca^^ 
y ;  and  in  the  town  is  a  fchool,  fupported  by  a  donation  from 
Daniel  Lathrop,  deceafed.  The  courts  of  law  are  held  alter- 
ly  at  New-London  and  Norwich. 

MIDDLETON. 

I 

liddleton  is  pleafantly  fituated  on  the  weftern  bank  of  Con- 
icut  river,  fifteen  miles  fouth  of  Hartford.  It  is  the  principal 
D  in  Middlefex  county—has  about  three  hundred  houfes— at  court- 

houfc— 


263^  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

houfe— one  church  for   Congregationaliils — and    one  for  £{hk»f 
palians— a  naval  ofiice-*-and  carries  on  a  large  and  incrcaiing  trade* 

WETHERSFXELD,  1^ 

Four  miles  fouthof  Elartford  is  Wethersficld,  a  very  pleafant  towfl, 
of  between  twto  and  three  hundred  houfes,  fituated  on  a  fine  foil, 
\Tuh  nn  clei;ant  brick  church  for  Congregationaliils.  A  fair  is  bdd 
here  twice  a  year.     This  town  is  noted  tor  raidng  onions* 

Windfor^  Farmington,  Litchfield,  Miiford,  Stratford,  Fairfield, 
Guilfordy  Stamford,  Wyndham,  Sufheld,  and  £nfield|  are  all  cod- 
ilcrable  and  very  pleafant  towns,  c 

Two  miles  weft  of  New-Iiaven  is  a  mountain,  on  the  top  of 
which  is  a  cave,  remarkable  for  having  been  the  refidence  of  GeiK- 
xals  Wlialey  and  GofTe,  two  of  the  judges  of  Charles  I.  who  was  bfr 
headed.  They  arrived  at  Bofton,  July  1660,  and  came  to  New- 
Haven  the  following  year,  and  retired,  and  concealed  themfclves 
liehind  Weft  Mountain,  three  miles  from  New-Haven.  Tliey  foon 
after  removed  to  Miifordy  where  they  lived  concealed  until  06lober| 

1664,  when  they  returned  to  New«Haven,  and  immediately  pro- 
ceeded to  Hadley,  where  they  remained  concealed  for  about  tea 
jears,  in  which  time  Whaley  died,  and  Goffe  foon  after  fled.   la 

1665,  JolmDixwell,  Efq.anotl\er  of  the  King's  judges,  vifitcdthco 
while  Kt  Hadley,  and  afterwards  proceeded  to  New- Haven,  where  he 
lived  many  years,  and  was  known  by  the  name  of  John  Davii« 
Here,  he  died,  and  was  buried  in  the  public  burying-place^  when 
his  grave-ftone  is  ftanding  to  this  day,  with  this  infcription:— • 
**  J.  D.  Efq.  deceafed,  March  18th,  in  the  eighty-fecond  year  of  hi* 
age,  1688." 

In  the  town  of  Pomfret  is  a  cave,  rendered  remarkable  by  the  h\f " 
.mourous  adventure  of  General  Putnam.-^This  cave  is  defcribeA^ 
.and  the  flory  elegantly  told  by  Colonel  Humphreys,  in  his  life  or ' 
that  hero.  The  ftory  and  the  defcription  I  fhall  infert  in  hisowc" 
.words. 

■ 

**  Soon  after  Mr.  Putnam  renioved  to  Connecticut,  the  wolves,  thec^ 

very  numerous,  broke  into  his  flieep-fold,  and  killed  feventy  fin^ 

Iheep  and  goats,  befides  wounding  many  lambs  and  kids.    Thi^ 

.havoc  was  committed    by  a  fhe-wolf,    which,"  with   her  annual!^ 

whelps,   ha4  for  feveral  years  infefted  the  vicinity.    The  youc^ 

.were  commonly  defl^pyed  by  the  vigilance  of  the  hunters,   hu^ 

.the  old  one  was  too  fagacious  to  come  within  reach  of  gun-fbdt-— 


«: 


s: 


X 


OF   CONNECTICUT.  tSj 

I    tfMon   being   clofely   purfued,    ibe   would    generatfy   fly   to   the 
I     "^eftem  woodS|    and  return  the  next  winter  with  another  Utteir 
1     «f  whelps* 

This  wolf  at  length  became  fach  an  intolerable  nuIf^iDce,  that  Mr« 
Putnam  entered  into  a  combination  with  five  of  his  neighbours  to  hunC 
sJternately  until  they  could  deilroy  her.  Two,  by  rotation,  were  to  be 
conflantly  in  purfuit.    It  was  known,  ,that,   having  loft  the  toes 
from  one  foot,  by  a  fteel  trap,  (he  made  one  track  fhorter  than  the 
other.    £y  this  veilige,  thepurfuers  recognized  in  a  l»ght  fnow  the 
foute  of  this  pernicious  animal.   Having  followed  her  to  Connec- 
ticut river,  and  found  fhe  had  turned  back  in  a  direct  courie  to* 
^ards  Pomfret,  they  imniediately  returned,  and  by  ten,  the  next  morn« 
%  the  blood-hounds  had  driven  her  into  a  den,  about  three  ntilet 
^^ant  from  the  houfe  of  Mr.  Putnam :   the  people  foon  collected 
^*    with  dogs,  guns,  ftraw,  fire  and  fulphur,  to  attack  the  common 
inertly.    With  this  apparatus  feveral  unfuccefsf ul  efforts  were  made- 
^  force  her  from  the  den.    The  hounds  came  back  badly  wounded, 
^nd    refiifed  to  retiu*n.    The  fmoke  of  blazing  ftraw  had  no  effect ; 
^otr    did  the  fumes  of  burnt  brimftone,  with  which  the  cavern  wat 
S^ed^  compel  her  ro  quit  the  retirement*    Wearied  withfuch  fruit- 
^^  attempts  (which  had  brought  the  time  to  ten  o^cIock  at  night) 
^i**  Putnam  tried  once  more  to  make  his  dog  enter,  but  in  vain  ;  ho 
pfopofed  to  his  negro  man  to  go  down  into  the  cavern  and  fhoot  the 
^<>l€:  the  negro  declined  the  liazardous  fervice.    Then  it  was  that 
^<^*  Putnam,  angry  at  the  diiappobtment,  and  declaring  that  he  was 
'^^med  to  have  a  coward  in  his  family,  refolved  himlelf  to  deftroj 
f^    the  ferociotis  beaft,  left  flie  fliould  efcape  through  fome  unknown  fif* 
'Ut*e  of  the  rock.    His  neighbours  ftrongly  remonftrated  againft  the 
P^i*ilous  enterprize ;  but  he  knowing  tha^  wild  animals  were  iatimi- 
*»*ted  by  fire,  and  having  provided  feveral  ftrips  of  birch  baric,  the 
^*y  combuftible  material  which  he  could  obtain,  that  would  afford 
'*E«it  in  this  deep  and  darkfome  cave,   prepared  for  Kis  defcent. 
"aviijg  accordingly  divefted  hirafelf  of  bis  coat  and  waiftcoat,  aod 
^^^tig  a  long  rope  f^ftened  round  his  legs,  by  which  he  might  be 
£^^led  back  at  a  concerted  fignal,-  be  entered  head  foremoft^  with  the 
^^ing  torch  in  his  hand. 

^he  aperture  of  the  den,  on  the  eaft  fide  of  a  very  high  ledge 
^^H^s,  is  about  two  feet  fquare ;  from  thence  ^t  defceods  obliquely 


tn  feet,  then  running  horizontally  about  ten  nnore,  it  afcendt 
*^4ually  fifteen  feet  towards  its  termination.    The  fides  of  this  fub- 

terraQeQ\^s 


] 


264  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

temoeous  cavity  are  compoied  of  fmooth  and  folid  rodu,  wbidi 
feem  to  have  been  divided  from  each  other  by  fome  former  eaitlk> 
quake.  The  top  and  bottom  are  alfo  of  (lone,  and  the  entrance,  'h^ 
winter,  being  covered  with  ice,  is  exceedingly  (lippery.  It  is  in  do 
place  high  enough  for  a  man  to  raife  himfelf  upright ;  nor  in  any  pait 
more  than  three  feet  in  width. 

Having  groped  his  paiTage  to  the  horizontal  part  of  the  den,  the 
moil  terrifying  darknefs  appeared  in  front  of  the  dim  circle  of  light 
afforded  by  his  torch*  It  was  filent  as  the  houfe  of  death.  None 
but  monders  of  the  defert  had  ever  before  explored  this  folitary  nuQ* 
fion  of  horror.  He,  cautioufly  proceeding  onward,  came  to  the 
afcent,  which  he  (lowly  mounted  on  his  hands  and  knees  until  hedif- 
covered  the  glaring  eye  balls  of  the  wolf,  who  was  fitting  at  the  ex< 
tremity  of  the  cavern.  Startled  at  the  fight  of  fire^  ibe  gnaihed  hec 
teeth,  and  gave  a  fullen  growl.  As  foon  as  he  had  made  the  necet 
iary  difcovery,  he  kicked  the  rope  as  a  figoal  for  pulling  him  out. 
The  people,  at  the  mouth  of  the  den,  who  had  liftened  with  paiofiil 
anxiety,  hearing  the  growling  of  the  wolf,  and  fuppofing  their  frieni 
to  be  in  the  roofi  imminent  danger,  drew  him  forth  with  fuch  cele- 
rity, that  his  fliirt  was  dripped  over  his  head,  and  his  (kin  feverely 
hcerated.  After  he  had  adjufted  his  clothes,  and  loaded  his  gnQ 
with  nine  buck  Aiot,  holding  a  torch  in  one  hand,  and  the  muftct 
in  the  other,  he  defcended  a  fecood  time.  When  he  drew  nearer 
ihan  before,  the.  wolf,  afTuming  a  dill  more  fierce  and  terrible  ap- 
pearance, howling,  rolling  her  eyes,  (happing  her  teeth,  and  dtopr 
ping  jber.  head  between  her  leg^,  was  evidently  in  the  attitude,  an^ 
on  the  point  of  fpringing  at  him.  At  the  critical  indant  he  levelled- 
and  fired  at  her  head.  Stunned  with  the  (hock,  and  fuffocated  witl^ 
the  fmoa^  he  immediately  found  himfelf  drawn  Out  of  the  cav^^ 
fiilt  havijig  refre(hed  himfelf,  and  permitted  the  fmoak  to  didipati^ 
he  went  down  the  third  .time.  Oace  more  he  came  within  fighter 
the  wolf,  who  appearing  very  palSve,  he  applied  the  torch  to  h^- 
nofe ;  and  pexceiving  her  dead,  he  took  hold  of  her  ears,  and  th^' 
kicking  the  rope  (iliil  tied  round  his  legs)  the  people  above,  with  i»-^ 
(mail  exultation,  dragged  them  both  out  together.*' 

Another  bold  and  almoft  prefumptuous.  deed  in  this  veteran  hcc^ 
has  rendered  remarkable  a  pretipice.at  Horfeneck,  in  this  Stat^ 
The  dory  is  this :  *'  Ahput  the  middle  of  the  winter,  1778,  Geo^ 
jal  Putnam  beiivg  on  a  vifit  to  his  out-pod  at  Horfeneck,  he  fgun-^ 
Governor.  Tryon  advancing  upon  that  town  with  a  corp  of  S6e^S 

4  hundre*^ 


OP   CONJJECtlCUt.  i6i 

HieQ-^to  pppofe  thefe,  General  Putnam  bad  dnly  «  picket  of 
ired  and  fifty  men,  and  two  iron  field-pieces,  without  horfc 
ropes;  he,  however,  planted  his  cannon  on  the  high  ground 
iccting-houfe,  and  retarded  their  approach  by  firing  feveral 
nil  p^rfceiving  the  horfe,  fupportcd  by  the  infantry,  about  tc> 
ic  ordered  the  picket  to  provide  for  their  fafcty  by  retiring 
up  inaccelfible  to  horfe ;  aud  fecurcd  his  own  by  plunging 
e  fteep  precipice  at  the  church  upon  a  full  trot.  This  pre- 
Co  fteep,  where  he  defcended,  as  to  have  artificial  flairs  corn- 
nearly  one  hundred  Hone  fleps  for  the  accommodation  of 
engers.  There  the  dragoons,  who  were  but  a  fword's  length 
1,  Hopped  fhprt,  for  the  declivity  was  fo  abrupt  that  they 
I  not  to  fallow ;  and  before  they  could  gain  the  valley  by 
und  the  brow  of  the  hill  in  the  prdinary  road,  he  was  far 
beyond  their  reach." 

:et  mountain  in  Branford,  latitude  41°  2o\  on  the  north-weff 
it,  a  few  feet  below  the  furface  has  ice  in  large  q^uantities  in 
ns  of  the  year. 

P  O  PU.L  AT  I  ON.         - 

sflicut  is  the  moft  populous,-  in  proportion  to  its  extent,  of 
le  United  States  :  its  advances  in  this  refpe^l  haVe  ever  been, 
There  have  been  more  emigrations  from  it  than  from  any  of 
^r  States,  and  yet  it  is  at  prefent  full  of  inhabitants.  Thil 
ipay  be  afcribed  to  feveral  caufes.  The  bulk  of  the  inhabit 
e  induftrious,  fagacious  hufbandmen.  Their  farms  furnifb 
th  all  the  neceffaries,  mofl  of  the  convenienciesj  and  but  fevr 
ixuries  of  life.  They -of  courfe  mull  be  generally  feraperate^ 
ley  choofe,  can  fubfift  with  as  much  independence  as  is  coci^ 
rith  happinefs.  The  fubfiflence  of  the  farcfler  is  fubilantial, 
s  not  depend  on  incidental  circumftancps,  like  tKat  of  moft 
rofeffions.  There  is  no  neceffity  of  ferving  an  apprenticelhip 
ufinefs,  nor  of  a  large  ftock  of  money  to  commence  it  to  ad- 
,  Farmers  who  deal  much  in  barter  have  lefs  need  of  money 
iT  other  clafs  of  people.  The  cafe  with  which  a  comfortab'e 
ice  is  obtained,  induces  the  hufbandman  to  marry  young; 
.vation  of  his  farm  makes  him  ftrong  and  healthful ;-  he  toils 
ly  through  the  day — eats  the  fruit  of  his  own  labour  with  a 
e  heart— at  night  devoutly  thanks  his  bounteoys  God  for  hit 
effings-^retires  to  reft^  and  his  fleep  is  fweet.  Such  circum-* 
!!•  M  m  fiances 


266  GBNEBAL   DESCRIPTION 

Aancei  as  tbefe  have  greatly  contributed  to  the  amazing  iDcrafeei! 
inhabitants  in  thU  State. 

In  1756  the  number  of  hthabitanti  were  one  hundred  indttuitj 
thoufaod  &x  hundred  and  eleven— In  1774  there  were  one  hnndnl 
and  ninet/>feven  thoufand  eight  buadred  and  fifty-fix  j  being  anin- 
crcafe  1:1  eighteen  yean  of  fixty-Hsven  thouland  two  hundred  tai 
forty  .five. 

The  follotving  table  exhibits  a  viev  of  the  population  ai  it  floMJ 
in  178Z, 


COUNTIES. 

u 

h 

i 
'i 

h 

II 

II 

II. 

I 

III 

Hartford 

21 

1081S 

55^47 

nao 

Kew-Haven     .   .   . 

8B( 

ir 

New-London  .    ,    . 

B 

S«4 

S-rar 

1910 

i  I 

S75S 

Z97J1 

1134 

Wyndliam  .... 

IS 

5,6, 

sSiSj 

4»( 

Litchfield     .... 

'9 

6797 

33'a7 

sag 

1  i 

79 

30388 

.0.877 

fa73 

»  £ 

Since  the  above  period  the  counties  of  Mtddlefex  and  Tolland  ha' 
been  confiituted,  and  a  number  of  new  townfbips,  made  up  of  dii 
ioni  of  the  dd  oaet,  have  impolitidy  *  been  incorporated. 

In  1790  the  number  of  inhabitant!,  according  to  tho  cenfiu  tb 
taken,  wai  ai  follows : 

*  The  mullipliutiaD  of  Cownlliip*  incttaEei  theBurBber  of  rrprcfnincivK,  whicb' 
already  too  great  (or  ibe  moft  dcmoaaclcal  govCTnmeDti  anil  uiiaecdWilf  cnhaucM  t 
t,  «ufe  of  maintaiiiuig  civil  gorcnuDCnt  in  die  SHU- 


COIKEC- 


OF   CONNECTICUT. 


267 


CONNECTICUT. 


5^ 

1 

J 

4t 

1 

1 

E, 

COUNTIES. 

H 

s  . 

1 

11 

1 

1 

1 

• 

(£ 

< 

Hartford    .    .    . 

9782 

S840 

I8,,4 

430.  "163 

3  Boa  9 

New-Haven  .    . 

78S6 

6858 

,;,;» 

4«Sl  433 

30830 

New-London     . 

81^4 

83,1 

16478 

7"9 

586 

33200 

Fairfield     .    .    . 

9187 

'754" 

3»7 

III 

3f»So 

Wyndham ,    .    . 

7440 

6i5, 

14406 

340 

aSgai 

Litchfield  ,    .    . 

1004 1 

9249 

18,09 

3'3 

933 

387^5 

Middlcfex  .   .   . 
TolUod.  .   .   . 

4730 
3*63 

4i3» 
3'9« 

t^l 

■4S... 
941    47 

\l'll 

60513 

5+403 

„r,4e 

i8o»>,-4 

237946 

Suppofing  the  account  of  i;8s  to  have  been  taken  correA,  the  in- 
crcafe  for  eight  yean,  ending  in  1790,  will  be  twenty-eight  thouland 
iCTca  hundred  and  ninety-fix;  en  the  mofl  moderate  calcuiatioii  we 
may,  therefore,  rate  the  prefeot  number  of  int^bitants  in  CooaeAicut 
at  two  hundred  and  feventj-tbree  tbouiand,  or  about  fifty-eight  per*- 
(bns  to  every  fquare  mile. 

REUGION  AND  CHARACTER'. 
The  rciig^  of  this  State  i>  happily  adapted  to  a  republican  go* 
verament;  for  at  to  the  mode  of  exercifing  church  govemnieDt  and 
difciplbc,  it  mig^  not  improperly  be  called  a  republican  reli^oo. 
£ach  church  haa  a  feparate  jurifdiftion,  and  claimt  authority  to 
cboofe  their  own  minifter,  to  exercife  judgment,  and  to  enjoy  gofpel 
'■rdioancei  within  itfelf.  The  churches,  however,  though  independent 
of  each  other,  are  aSbciated  for  mutual  benefit  and  convenience.—. 
The  affociatioiu  have  power  to  Ucenfc  cattdidatcE  for  the  miniflry,  to 
"loialt  for  the  general  wel&re,  and  to  rBComonend  meafures  to  be 
adopted  In'  the  churches,  but  have  no  authority  to  enforce  them. 
"°en  difputei  arlfe  in  churches,  counfela  are  called  by  the  parties  to 
™le  them  J  hut  their  pow^r  is  only  advifoiy.  There  are  eleven 
™ciaioni  in  (he  gtate,  and  they  meet  twice  in  a  year.  Thefc  are 
*)  Mi^hiocd  io  one  general  alTociation,  who  meet  anniuU;* 

Mm*  AU 


Z69  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

All  men  in  this  State  are  upon  a  footing  of  equality  widi  refpeS 
religion  ;  difqualifications  for  offices  in  the  State  on  account  of  ^ 
gious  opinions  are  unknown.  Every  fe6t  whofe  principles  do 
militate  againft  the  peace  of  fociety,  enjoy  here  the  full  liberty 
conlcience ;  and  a  fpirit  of  liberality  and  catholicifm  is  increafiDg 
There  are,  however,  very  few  religious  fedts  in  this  State.  The  Id 
of  the  people  are  Congrcgationalifb,  the  reft  are  Epifcopalians  ^ 
Baptifts.  Formerly  there  was  a  fociety  of  Sandimonians  at  Nev 
Haven  ;  but  they  are  now  reduced  to  a  very  fihall  number. 

The  clergy,  who  are  numerous,  and,  as  a  body,  very  refpe6labl< 
have  hitherto  preferved  a  kind  of  ariftocratical  balance  in  the  ver 
democratical  government  of  this  State,  which  has  operated  in  fon 
inftances  as  a  check  upon  the,  perhaps,  overbearing  fpirit  of  republ 
canifm.  The  urihappy  religious  difputes  which  have  too  mudi  pr) 
vailed  among  fome  of  them,  and  an  inattention  to  the  qualificatioi 
of  thofe"  who  have  been  admitted  to  the  facred  office^  have,  howeve 
heretofore  coniiderably  diminifhed  their  influence.  It  is  a  pleafii 
circumilance  that  the  rage  for  theological  difputation  is  abating,  ap 
greater  ftridnefs  is  obferved  in  the  admiffion  of  candidates  to  t 
miniftiy.  Their  influence  is  on  the  increafei  and  it  is,  in  part, 
fheir  exertions  that  an  evident  reformation  in  the  asaimers  of  t 
people  of  this  State  has  taken  place  fince  the  pes^ce* 

At  the  anniverfary  ele6tion  of  the  governor  and  oth^r  public  oi 
eers,  which  is  held  yearly  at  Hartford  on  the  fecond  Thurfday 
May,  a  fernaon  is  preached,  which  is  publiflied  at  the  expenfe  of  1 
State.*    On  thefe  occafions  a  vaft  concourfe  of  refpedable  citize 

*  It  would  aofwer  many  valuable  purpofes^  if  the  gpitlemen  who  are  aanually 
pointed  to  preach  thefe  eletflion  femions^  would  furcifh  a  fk.ctc\k  of  the  hiftory  of 
State  for  the  current  year,  to  be  publifhed  at  the  dofe  of  their  fermons.  Such  a  ike 
which  migh:  eafily  be  made,  would  render  cledicA  fermons  much  more  valuable.  T 
Would  then  be  a  very  authentic  repolitory  of  fad$  for  future  hiftorians  of  the  Stai 
they  would  be  more  generally  a»d  more  eagerly  purchafed  and  read — they  w6uld  (m 
difleminate'  the  important  knowledge  of  the  internal  affairs  of  tlie  Statfc,  which  n 
citizen  ought  to  be  acquunted  with,  and  miglit,ifjudicioufly  executed,  opentte  aft  adi 
upon  party  fpirit,  and  upon  ambitious  and  denning  men. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Benjamin  Trumbull,  of  Nonh-Haven,  has  for  fevcral  year%  i 
indefatigable  induftry,  been  luaking  coUe£lioas  for  a  hiftory  of  Conn^icut.  His : 
lities  as  a  writer,  and  his  accuracy  as  an  hiftorian,  the  public  already  know.  It  is  he 
the  public  will  (hortly  be  favoured  with  his  hiftory.  Through  his  ihdulgpice  in  j 
mitting  ieleflkths  to  t)e  made  from  hh  maaufcripts^  we  aft  cnaMcd'to  piAlifli  ntaj 
the  fa£is  in  the  hIAory  of  this  State. 


OF    CONNECTICUT,  269 

^tf^^^^^y  of  the  clergy,  arc  colleacd  from  every  part  of  the  State  ; 
is^4^^v\^  they  add  dignity  and  folemnity  to  the  important  and  joyful 
trt^^^^lons  of  the  day,  ferve  to  exterminate  party  fpirit,  and  to  har- 
moti^^  t\ie  civil  and  religious  interefts  of  the  St^te. 

Tqc  inhabitants  arc  almoft  entirely  of  Englifh  defcent.  There  are 
no  Dutch,  French,  or  Germans,  and  very  few  Scotch  or  Irifti  in  any 
part  of  the  State. 

In  addition  to  what  has  been  already  faid  it  may  be  obferved,  that 
the  people  of  Connedticut  are  remarkably  fond  of  having  all  their  dif- 
pwtcs,  even  thofe  of  the  moft  trivial  kind,  fettled  according  to  law.— • 
The  prevalence  of  this  litigious  fpirit  affords  employment  and  fup* 
port  for  a  numerous  body  of  lawyers.   The  number  of  actions  entered 
inntially  upon  the  feveral  dockets  in  the  State  juftifies  the  above 
pbfervations.     That  party  fpirit,  however,  which  is  the  bane  of  poli* 
tjical  happinels,  has  not  raged  with  fuch  violence  in  this  State  as  in 
MaiTachufetts  and  Rhode-Ifland.    Public  proceedings  have  been  con« 
(du£ted  generally,  and  efpeciaUy  oflate^  with  much  ealmnefs  and  can- 
flour.    The  inhabitants  are  well  informed  in  regard  to  their  rights^ 
and  judicious  in  the  methods  they  adopt  to  fecure  them.    The  State 
enjoys  a  great  fhare  of  political  tranquillity  ;  the  people  live  under  a 
free  governinent,  and  have  no  fear  of  a  dignified  tyrant.    There  are 
po  overgrown  efiates  with  rich  and  ambitious  landlords,  to  have  aa 
undue  and  pernicious  influence  in  the  ele£bion  of  civil  officers.    Fh)- 
pcrty  is  eqiially  enough  divided,  and  mud  continue  to  be  fo  as  long 
^  the  efiates  defcend  as  they  now  do.    No  perfon  qualified  by  law  i) 
prohibited  from  voting.    He  who  has  the  moft  merit,  not  he  who 
^38  the  moft  money,  is  generally  chofen  into  public  office.     As  in-r 
^ces  of  this,  it  is  to  be  obferved,  that  many  of  the  citizens  9f  Con- 
nc6^icut,  from  the  humble  walks  of  life,  have  arifen  to  the  firft  offices 
^  the  State,  and  filled  them  with  dignity  and  reputation.    That  bafe 
•^^finefs  of  electioneering,  which  is  the  curfe  of  England,  and  direftly 
^*lcu!^ted  to  introduce  the  moft  wicked  and  defigning  men  into 
**°*^Ci  is  yet  but  little  known  in  Conncfticut.    A  man  who  wifhes  to 
"^  chofen  into  ofj^ce,  afls  wifely,  for  that  end,  when  he  keeps  his  de- 
*^^  to  himfelf, 

"^  thirft  for  learning  prevails  among  all  ranks  of  people  in  the  State, 

^•^^^  of  the  young  men  in  Connedlicut,  in  proportion  to  their  num? 

''^v   receive  ft  public  education^  than  ii^  any  of  tl^e  States  of  the 


1 

si 

'J 

r 


270  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

Some  have  believed,  and  perhaps  with  reaibn,  that  the  fbadaefi 
actdemic  and  collegiate  education  is  too  great — that  it  induces  too  .^ 
Riany  to  leave  the  plough.    If  men  of  liberal  education  would  return  l|^ 
to  the  farm,  and  ufe  their  knowledge  in  improving  agriculture  and 
encouraging  manufadures,  there  could  not  be  too  many  meaoE 
karning  in  the  State ;  but  tliis  is  too  feldom  the  cafe. 

Connedkicut  had  but  a  fmall  proportion  of  citizens  who  did  not 
join  in  oppofing  the  oppreffive  meafures  of  Great-BritaiD,  and  was 
a£^ive  and  influential,  both  in  the  field  and  in  the  cabinet,  in  briDgi 
ing  about  the  revolution.  Her  foldiers  were  applauded  by  the  com*' 
roander  in  chief  for  their  bravery  and  fidelity. 

What  has  been  faid  in  fevour  of  Connedlicut,  though  true  when 
generally  applied,  needs  to  be  qualified  with  feme  exceptions*  Dr. 
Douglas  fpoke  the  truth  when  he  faid,  that  ^*  fome  of  the  meaoer 
fort  are  villains."  Too  many  are  idle  and  difiipated,  and  much  time 
is  unprofitably  and  wickedly  fpent  at  taverns,  in  law  fuits  and  petty  r^ 
arbitrations.  The  public  fchools,  in  fome  parts  of  the  State,  have 
¥een  too  much  neglected,  and  in  procuring  inftrudlors,  too  littlo 
attention  has  been  paid  to  their  moral  and  literary  qualifications* 

TRADE  AND  MANUFACTURES. 

The  trade  of  Conoedticut  is  principally  with  the  Weft-India 
lilands,  and  is  carried  on  in  veflels  of  from  fixty  to  an  hundred  ani 
forty  tons  burden.  The  exports  confift  of  horfes,  mules,  oxen,  oak 
ftaves,  hoops,  pine  boards,  oak.  plank,  beans,  Indian  com,  fiih,  bceff 
pork,  &C..  Horfes,  live  cattle  and  lumber,  are  permitted  in  the  Dutchi 
Daniili,  and  French  ports. 

Coopeftlcut  has  a  large  number  of  coafling  veflels  employed  !• 
carrying  her  produce  to  other  States.    To  Rhode-Ifland,  Mafli^* 
chufetts,   aijd  New-Hamplhire,  they  carry  pork,  wheat,  com  aa4 
rye ;  to  North  and  South  Carolinas  and  Georgia,  butter,  chee(^ 
falted  beef,  cyder,  apples,  potatoes,  hay,  &c.  and  receive  in  retuT^ 
rice,  indigo  and  money.    But  as  New-^York  is  nearer;  and  the  fiaf^ 
of  the  markets  always  well  known,  much  of  the  produce  of  Cof'' 
ne6licut,  efpeciaily  of  the  weftern  parts,  is  carried  there,  particularly 
pot  and  pearl  afii,  flax  feed,  beef,  pork,  cheefe  and  butter,  in  harg^ 
quantities.    Moll  of  the  produce  of  Connedticqt  river,  from  th^ 
ports  of  Maflachufetts,  New-Hamp(hire,  and  Vermont,  as  well  ^** 
f f  Coni^efticut,  which  are  adjacent,  goes  to  t^c  iame  market*    Coo** 

SJCFftbfff 


•  F    CONNECTICUT.  i'Jt 

iderable  quantities  of  the  produce  of  the  eaftem  parts  of  the  State 
re  marketed  at  Bofton  and  Providence. 

The  value  of  the  whole  exported  produce  and  commodities  from 
his  State,  before  the  year  1774,  was  then  eftimated  at  about  two 
mndred  thoufand  pounds  lawful  money^nualty.  In  the  year  end- 
ig  September  30th,  1791,  the  amount  of  foreign  exports  from  this 
'&te  was  feven  hundred  and  ten  thoufand  three  hundred  and  ten 
lolfars,  befides  articles  carried  to  different  parts  of  fhe  United  States 

0  a  great  amount.  This  State  at  prefent  owns  and  employs  in  the 
oreign  and  coafting  trade  more  than  thirty-five  thoufand  tons  of 
liipping. 

The  farmers  in  Connecticut  and  their  families  are  moftly  clothed 

1  plain,  decent,  homefpun  cloth.  The  linens  and  woollens  arc 
lanufaftured  in  the  family  way,  and  although  they  arc  generally 
f  a  coarfer  kind,  they  are  of  a  ftronger  texture,  and  much  more 
turable  than  thofe  imported  there  from  France  and  Great-Britain, 
^any  of  their  cloths  are  fine  and  handfome. 

A  woollen  manufactory  has  been  eftabliflied  at  Hartford.  Thf 
egiilature  of  the  State  have  encouraged  it,  and  it  bids  fair  to  grew 
nto  importance. 

In  New-Haven  are  linen  and  button  manufactories,  which  ftouriili. 
In  Hartford  are  glafs  works,  a  fnufF  and  powder  mill,  iron  works, 
•nd  a  flitting  mill.  Iron  works  are  eftablifhed  alfo  at  Salifbury^ 
Norwich,  and  other  parts  of  the  State.  At  Stafford  is  a  furnace,  at 
'^hich  are  made  large  quantities  of  hollow  ware  and  other  ironmon- 
S^Ti  fufficlent  to  fupply  the  whole  State.  Paper  is  manufaAured  at 
Norwich,  Hartford,  New-Haven,  and  in  Litchfield  county.  Ntils 
►f  every  fize  are  made  in  almoft  every  town  and  village  in  ConneCti- 
''^>  fo  that  coniiderable  quantities  can  be  exported  to  the  ncigh«< 
''^'"ing  States,  and  at  a  better  rate  than  they  can  be  had  from  Eu- 
^*  Ironmongery,  hats,  candles,  leather,  flioes  and  boots,  are 
^VifaCtured  in  this  State.  Oil  mills,  of  a  new  and  very  ingenious 
^^ruCtion,  have  been  credted  in  feveral  parts  of  the  State.  A 
^^  manufactory  has  alfo  been  eftabliflied  at  Stratford,  and,  it  is 
^»  is  doing  well.  : 

LEARNING  AND  LITERATURE. 

^n  no  part  of  the  world  is  the  education  of  all  ranks  of  people 
attended  to  than  in  Connecticut;  almoft  every  town  in  the 
is  divided  into  diftriCts,  and  each  diftriCt  has  a  public  fchool 

kept 


In 
t 

id 


272  GENERAL    DESCRIPTIOK 

kept  in  it*  a  greater  or  lefs  part  of  every  year.  Somewhit  mm 
than  one*third  of  the  monies  arifing  from  a  ^tax  on  the  polls  and 
rateable  cflate  of  the  inhabitants  is  appropriated  to  the  fupport  of 
fchools  in  the  feveral  towns,  for  the  education  of  children  and  youth, 
The  law  direds,  thaf  a  gramitiar-fchool  fball  be  kept  in  every 
county  town  throughout  the  State. 

There  is  a  grammar  fchool  at  Hartford,  and  another  at  New^ 
Haven,  fupported  by  a  donation  of  Governor  Hopkins.  This  vow- 
rable  and  benevolent  man,  in  his  laft  will,  dated  1657,  left  in  the 
hands  of  Theophilus  Eaton,  £lq.  and  three  others,  a  legacy  of  one 
thoufand  three  hundred  and  twenty-four  pounds,  "  as  an  encourage* 
ment,  jn  thefe  foreign  plantations,  of  breeding  up  hopeful  youths 
both  at  the  grammar-fchool  and  college."  In  1664  this  legacy  wai 
equally  divided  between  New-Haven  and  Hartford,  and  grammar* 
fchools  were  erected,  which  have  been  fupported  ever  fince. 

Academies  have  been  eflabllflied  at  Greenfield,  Plainfield,  Nor* 
wich,  Wyndham,  and  Pomfret,  fomc  of  which  are  flouriihing. 

Yale  College  was  founded  in  1 700,  and  remained  at  Ejllingwortl 
until  1707  ;  then  at  Saybrook  until  17 16,  when  it  was  reniovedaiHl 
fixed  at  New-Haven.  Among  its  principal  benefactors  was  Cover. 
nor  Yale,  in  honoui-  of  whom^  in  1 7 1.8,  it  was  named  Yale  Col* 
lege.  Its  firft  building  was  erected  in  1717,  being  one  hundred  ao^ 
feventy  feet  in  length,  and  twenty-two  in  breadth,  built  of  wood.  Thif 
was  taken  down  in  1782.  The  prcfent  college,  which  is  of  bri^ 
was  built  ill  1750,  under  the  direction  of  the  Rev.  Prefident  Clapi 
and  is  one  hundred  feet  long  and  forty  feet  wide,  three  ilories  higbi 
and  contains  thirty  two  chambers,  and  iixty-four  fludies,  copvemeot 
for  the  reception  of  one  hundred  iludents.  The  college  chapel,  wJ|uch 
is  alfo  of  brick,  was  built  in  17611  being  fifty  fejBt  by  forty,  with 
a  fteeple  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  feet  high.  In  this  buil^g  if 
the  public  library,  confifling  of  about  two  thoufand  five  hundnrf 
volumes ;  and  the  philofophical  apparatus,  which,  by  a  late  hand* 
fome  addition^  is  now  as  complete  as  mofi  others  in  the  United 
States,  and  contains  the  machines  necefiaiy  for  exhibiting  expefi' 
ments  in  the  whole  courfe  of  experimental  phUqfopby andailro^ 
nomy. 

I'he  college  mufeum,  to  which  additlona  are  conflantly  makings 
contains  many  natural  curiofities. 

This  literary  inftitution  was  incorpofatqdj  by  tjje  Gepei^  AWtfJi^ 
€f  Connedlicut.    The  &ft  charter  of  'Wf^rpc^io^y^ii^ff^tdff^ 

3  «^^^ 


OP   CO^NBCTICUT.  jj^^J 

• 
teveft  minifiers,  under  the  denomination  of  truftees,  in  I70Z»    The 

owers  of  the  truftees  were  enlarged  by  thq  additional  charteri  1723. 

^od  by  that  of  X74$»  the  truftees  were  incorporated  by  tlje  name 

f  "  The  prefident  and  feljlows  of  Yak  College,  New-Haven."  By 

n  aft  of  the  General  AiTembly  ^*  for  enlarging  the  powers  and  in« 

reaiing  the  funds  of  Yale  College,"  paiTed  in  May,  1792,  and  ac« 

epted  by  the  corporation,  the  governor,  lieutenant-governor,  and 

he  fix  fenior  afliftants  in  the  council  of  the  State  for  the  time  being, 

re  ever  iiercafter,  by  virtue  of  their  ofiices,  to  be  truftees  and  fel- 

DW8  of  the  college,  in  addition  to  the  former  corporation.    ThjB 

orporation  are  empowered  to  hold  eftates,  continue  their  fucceffion, 

lake  academic  laws,  eleft  and  confHtute  all  officers  of  inilruftioQ 

nd  government  ufual  in  univerfities,  and  confer  all  learned  degrees. 

?he  immediate  executive  government  is  in  the  hands  of  the  prefident 

nd  tutors.    The  prefent  officers  and  inftruftors  of  the  college  are, 

prefident,  who  is  aifo  profeflbr  of  ecclefiaftical  hiftory,  a  profef* 
3r  of  divinity,  and  three  tutors.  The  number  of  fludents,  on  an 
verage,  is  about  130,  divided  into  four  clailes.  It  is  worthy  of  re- 
nark,  that  as  many  as  five-fixths  of  thofe  who  have  received  their 
xiucation  at  this  univerfity  were  natives  of  Connefticut. 

The  funds  of  this  college  received  a  very  liberal  addition  by  Z 
{rant  of  the  General  AiTembly,  in  the  aft  of  1792  before  mentioned; 
vhich  will  enable  the  corporation  to  ereft  a  new  building  for  the 
iccommodation  of  the  ftudents,  to  fupport  feveral  new  profefiorfhips^ 
uid  to  make  a  handfome  addition  to  the  library. 

The  courfe  of  education  in  this  univerfity  comprehends  the  whole 
circle  of  literature.  The  three  learned  languages  are  taught,  to- 
gether with  fo  much  of  tlie  fciences  as  can  be  communicated  in  four 
years,  ' 

In  May  and  September,  annually,  the  feveral  clafies  are  critically 
^mined  in  all  their  clafiical  fludies.  As  incentives  to  in\pi:oyement 
'1  compofition  and  oratory,  quarterly  exerqifes  are  appointed  by  the 
'f<^adent  and  tutors,  to  be  exhibited  by  the  refpeftive  claiTes  in  ro« 
^oq.  a  public  commencement  is  held  annually  on  the  fecond 
^dnefday  in  ^September,  which  calU  together  a  more  numerous 
'i  brilliant  aflembly  than  are  convened  by  any  other  anniverfary 
the  State. 

^bout  two  thoufand  two  hundred  have  received  the  honours  of 
'^H  univerfity,  of  whom  nearly  feven  hundred  and  fixty  have  been 
^med  to  the  wockLof  thf  gofpel  miniftry, 

y.otAL    '  N  «i  IN^ 


2^4  GENERAL  DESCRIPTION 


Y 


k 


n 


INVENTIONS  AND  IMPROVEMENTS. 

Earl/  ia  the  war  Mr.  David  Bufiinel,  of  Saybrook,  imrentedi 
machine  iovfuhmarine  navigation,  altogether  different  from  mf  ^ini 
hitherto  devifed  by  the  art  of  man  ;  this  n>achine  was  to  confthidea  ^ 
as  that  it  could  be  rowed  horizontally,  at  any  given  depth,  underwa- 
ter, and  could  be  raifed  or  deprelTed  at  pleafure.  To  this  machio^ 
tailed  the  American  iurtfty  was  attached  a  magazine  of  powderj 
which  was  intended  to  be  fsiftened  inidcr  the  bottom  of  a  (hip,  wiffi 
a  driving  fcrew,  in  fuch  a  way  as  that  iht  fame  ftrokc  which  difcH' 
^ged  it  from  the  machine  fliould  put  die  internal  clock-work  io 
motion  ;  this  being  done,  the  ordinary  operation  of  a  gun  lock,  at 
the  diflance  of  half  an  hour,  or  any  determinate  time,  would  caufe 
the  powder  to  explode  and  leave  the  effects  to  the  common  laws  of 
hature.  The  fimplicity,  yet  combination,  diibovered  m  the  fne« 
ctianifm  of  this  wonderful  machine,  have  been:  acknowledged  by 
ithofe  ikilled  in  phydcs,  and  particularly  l^draufics,  to  be  not  left 
ibgenious  than  novel*  Mr.  Bufhnel  bvented  feveral  other  curious 
machines  for  the  annoyance  of  the  Britifh  fliippiag,  but  from  acci- 
dents,. Jiot  militating  againft  the  philofophical  principles,  on  whicfi 
their  fuccefs  depended,  they  but  partially  fucceeded.  He  deftroyed 
a  veiTel  in  the  charge  of  Commodore  Symmonds.  One  of  his  kegs 
alfo  demondied  a  vefTel  near  the  Long-Illand  fhore.  About  Chriff* 
hiaSy  1777,  he  committed  to  the  Delaware  river  a  number  of  kcgS) 
defined  to  fell  among  the  Britifli  fTeet  at  FhiladeTphia  ^  but  this  fc^ua- 
dron-  of  kegs,  having  been  feparated  and  retarded  by  the  ice,  de* 
iholifhed  but  a  (ingle  boat.  This  cataftrc^e,  however,  produce^ 
an  alarm,  unprecedented  in  its  nature  and  degree^  which  has  bee^ 
fo  happily  defcribed  by  the  late  Hon.  Francis  Hopkinfon,  in  a  fort  I 
ftiled  **  The  Battle  of  the  Kegs,"*  that  the  event  it  celebrates  wil 
'not  be  forgotten,  fo  long  as  mankind  flialt  continue  to  be  delighti^ 
Sii^th  works  of  humour  and  tafle.^ 

Mr.  Hanks,  of  Litchfield,  has  invented  a  method  of  \^dbg  tti 
clocks  by  rheans  of  air  or  wind  only,  which  is  kigenions^  and  pf1k< 
tifed  in  New- York  and  other  places. 

Mr.  Culver,  of  Norwich,  has  conftru6led  a  dock  drudge,  whic^ 
IS  a  -boat  £or  clearing  docks  and  removing  bars  in  rivers — a  very  if 
'genious  and  ufeful  machine ;  its  good  effedls  have  already  been 


'^  See  Hopkiafon'fr^Works,  lately  publilhed  ip  Phllatdelphia. 

^<«  perieaoe' 


OF   CONNirCTICUT.  i*j$ 

RitfDced  in  the  navigatiOfi  of  the  river  Thames^  the  diannel  of 
hich  has  been  coniiderably  deepened;  this  machiae  will,  no  doubtt 
e  prochi^ve  of  very  great  advantages  to  navigation  throughout  the 
Fnited  States. 

The  Rev.  Jo(eph  Badger^  while  a  member  of  Yale  College,  in 
78$,  cooflru6:ed  an  ingenious  plaMetarium^  (without  ever  having 
Kn  one  of  the  kind)  which  is  depofited  in  the  library  of  that  uni* 
crfity. 

Mr.  ChittendoOi  of  New-Haven,  has  invented  a  ufefiil  machine 
9r  bending  and  cutting  card  teeth ;  this  machine  is  put  in  motion 
y  a  mandril  twelve  inches  in  kngth,  and  one  inch  in  diameter ) 
onneded  with  the  mandi'il  are  Gx  parts  of  tke  machine,  indepen* 
ent  of  each  other ;  the  fird  introduces  a  certain  length  of  wire  into 
le  chops  of  the  cw^me ;  the  fecond  fbuUi  the  chops,  and  holds  fail 
be  wire  in  the  middle  until  it  is  finiflied;  the  third  cuts  off  the 
are ;  the  fourth  doubles  the  tooth  in  proper  form  ;  the  fifth  makes 
be  laft  bend ;  and  the  (ixth  delivers  the  finifhed  tooth  irom  the  ma* 
hine.  The  mandril  is  moved  by  a  band  wheel  five  feet  in  diat 
neter,  turned  by  a  trunk.  One  revolution  of  the  mandril  makes 
>ne  tooth ;  ten  are  made  in  a  fecond ;  thirty*fix  thoufand  in  an  hour, 
^ith  one  machine  like  this,  teeth  enough  might  be  made  to. fill 
cards  fufficient  for  all  the  manufa&urers  in  NewrEngland.  i 

CONSTITUTION  AND  COURTS  OF  JUSTICE, 

The  revolution,  which  fo  eiTentially  affeded  the  governments  of 
moft  of  the  colonies,  produced  no  very  perceptible  alteration  in  the 
KP^ernment  of  Connedicut.  While  under  the  jurifdidion  of  Great* 
^^^^^m  they  ele^ed  their  own  governors,  and  all  fubordinate  civil 
""^^rs,  and  made  their  own  laws,  in  the  ianie  nunner,  and  with  as  little 
^tr^ul,  as  they  now  do.  Conne^cut  has  ever  been  a  republic^ 
^  perhaps  as  perfed  and  as  happy  a  republic  as  has  ever  exifted ; 
'^1^^  other  States,  more  monarchical  in  their,  government  and  man* 
"^^  have  been  under  a  neceffity  of  undertaldng  the  diiEcult  taflc  of 
^^njg  their  old,  or  forming  new  confiitutionsi,  and  of  changing 
^^r  monarchical  for  republican  manners,  ConneAicut  has  nninter* 
>=tedly  proceeded  in  her  old  track,  both  as  to  government  and 
^^ners ;  and,  by  thefe  means,  has  avoided  thoie  convulfions  whick 
"Ve  rent  other  States  into  violent  parties. 

*rhe  conftitution  of  Connecticut  is  founded  on  the  charter  whieli 
granted  by  Charles  U;  in  i66at  and  on  a  Uw  of  the  Sta|te» 

N  n  »  Agree- 


ay^  GEREUAL   DESCHIPTION 

Agreeably  to  this  charter,  the  fupreme'  legiflative  authority  d'tA 
State  is  veded  in  a  governori  lieutenant-governor,  twelve  affijb&tt 
or  counfelloHi  and  the  reprefentattvcs  of  the  people,  ftiled  theGtnb* 
ral  AiTembly.  The  governor,  lieutenant-governor  and  affiftants,  are 
innually  chofen  by  the  freemen  in  the  month  of  May.  The  repie^ 
ientatives  (their  number  not  to  exceed  two  from  each  towo)  tit 
chofen  by  the  freemen  twice  a  year,  to  attend  the  two  annual  fet 
lions,  on  the  fecond  Thurfdays  in  May  and  0£tober.  This  AiTemblf 
has  power  to.ereft  judicatories  for  the  trial  of  caufes,  civil  andcri*  1 
minal,  and  to  ordain  and  eftablifli  laws  for  fettling  the  forms  and  cc 
remonies  of  government.  By  thefe  laws  the  General  AiTembly  is  4  c 
vided  into  two  branches,  called  the  Upper  and  Lower  Houfes.  The  |9 
Upper  Houfe  is  compofed  of  the  governor,  lieutenant-governor  and 
affiltalits.  The  Lower  Houfe  of  the  reprefentatives^  of  the  people. 
No  law  can  pafs  without  the  concurrence  of  both  Houfes.  The 
judges  of  the  fuperior  court  hold  their  offices  during  the  pleafureof 
the  General  Alfembly.  The  judges  of  the  county  courts,  and  juf*b 
tkes,  are  annually  appointed.  Sheriffs  are  appointed  by  the  gover*  c 
nor  and  council,  without  limitation  of  time.  The  governor  is  cap* 
tain-general  of  the  militia,  the  lieutenant-governor  lieutenant-gene* 
ral.  All  other  military  officers  are  appointed  by  the  Aifembly,  and 
commiffioned  by  the  governor. 

The  mode  of  electing  the  governor,  Jieutenant-governor,  affifhnts, 
treafurer  and  fecretary,  is  as  follows :  the  freemen  in  the  feveral  towns 
meet  on  the  Monday  next  after  the  firfl:  Tuefday  in  April  anonstly, 
and  giv^  in  their  votes  for  the  perfons  they  chufe  for  the  faid  offices 
refpedivcly,  with  their  names  written  on  a  piece  of  paper,  which 
are  received  and  fealed  up  by  a  condable  in  open  meeting,  the  votes 
for  each  otiice  by  themfelves,  with  the  name  of  the  town  and  office 
written  on  the  outiide.  Thefe  votes,  thus  fealed,  are  fent  to  the 
General  Aflembly  in  May,  and  there  counted  by  a  committee  from 
both  Houfes.  All  freemen  are  eligible  to  any  office  in  governments 
Inchufing  afliftants,  twenty  perfons  are  nominated,  by  the  vote  of 
each  freeman,  at  the  freeman's  meeting  fbr  chniing  reprcfentatiici 
in  September  annually*  Thefe  Votes  ar^  fealed  up,  and  fent  to  the 
iGeneral  AiTembly  in  O^bober,  and  are  there  counted  by  ^  committel 
l»f  both  Houfe^  and  the  twenty  perfons  who  have  the  diofl  votes 
fiand  in  nomination  ;  out  of  which  nunifber  the  twelve  who  have  the 
jjreateft  iiOmbcr  of  votes,  given  by  the  freemen  at  their  meeting  in 
Apri1|  are  ki  May  deciated  aifift^nts  in  tbe.manner  above  nieatimMA' 


-CF   CONNECTICUT.  8^77 

Pfae  qiialifiaitions  of  freemen  dre^  quiet  and  peaceable  beTiaviour, 
I  chrU  converfation,  and  freehold  efbte  to  the  value  of  forty  fliU- 
ings  per  annum,  or  forty  pounds  perfonai  eftate  in  the  lift,  certified 
ty  the  fele6l  men  of  the  town ;  it  is  neceiTaryy  alfo,  that  they  talcs 
he  oath  of  fidelity  to  the  State*  Their  names  are  inrolled  in  dm 
own-clerk's  office,  and  they  continue  freemen  for  life,  uniefs  dia* 
ranchifed  by  fentence  of  the  fuperior  court,  on  convi6kion  of  mt^ 
iemeanor. 

The  courts  are  as  follow : — The  juftices  of  the  peace,  of  whoM 

number  are  annually  appointed  in  each  town  by  the  General  Af* 
!mbly,  have  authority  to  hear  and  determine  civil  anions,  where  the 
emand  does .  not  exceed  four  pounds.  If  the  demand  exceeds  forty 
liillings  an  appeal  to  the  county  is  allowed.  They  have  cogni&nce 
f  fmall  offences,  and  may  punifh  by  fine,  not  exceeding  forty  ffai^ 
ings,  or  whipping,  not  exceeding  ten  (Iripes,  or  fitting  m  the  flocks. 
There  are  eight  county  courts  in  the  State,  held  in  the  fe vera!  t:onn«- 
ies  by  one  judge,  and  four  juftices  of  the  quorum,  who  have  jurlf> 
li&ion  of  all  criminal  cafes  arifing  within  their  refpedtive  counties, 
vhere  the  punifhment  does  not  extend  to  life,  limb,  or  baniiliment. 
They  have  original  jurifdidtion  of  all  civil  actions  which  exceed  the 
[arifdiftion  of  a  j\iftice*  Either  party  may  appeal  tt>  the  fuperiar 
court,  if  the  demand  exceeds  20I.  except  on  bonds  or  notes  vouched 
by  two  witnefTes. 

There  are  feveral  courts  qf  probate  in  each  county,  confiding  of 
one  judge.  The  peculiar  province  of  this  court  is,  the  probate  uf 
^ills,  granting  adminiflration  on  inteftate  eflates,  ordering  dtf^ 
tribution  of  them,  and  appointing  guardians  for  minors,  6cc.  An 
appeal  lies  from  any  decree  of  this  court  to  the  fuperior  court.        -^ 

The  fuperior  court  confifls  of  five  judges.  It  has  authority  ii| 
'"  criminal  cafes  extending  to  life,  limb,  or  baniihment,  and  other 
'iSh  crimes  and  mifdemeaners ;  to  grant  divorces  j  and  to  hear  an4 
'^^rmine  all  civil  a^^ions  brought  by  appeal  from  the  county  courts, 

the  court  of  probate,  and  to  correct  the  errors  of  ail  inferior 
^t"ts.  This  is  a  circuit  court,  and  has  two  (Uted  feflions  in  each 
^tity  annually.  The  fuperior  an(f  county  courts  try  matters  of 
^  by  jury,  or  without,  if  the  parties  will  agree. 
^*here  is  a  fupreme  court  of  errors,  confifling  of  the  lieutefiant* 
"Pernor  and  the  twelve  affiihints ;  jtheir  fole  bqfinefs  is  to  determifne 
■*%ts.  of  error  brought  on  judgments  of  the  fuperior  court,  wheH^ 
t^  fiTOX  coOEipliiioed  of  ajppeaii  00  ihr  irc^rd*    The^  have  two 

fiate4 


27S  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

fiated  fcAons  annually,  viz.  on  the  Tuefda}r8  of  the  wedn  (tC^ 
ceding  the  fiated  fefiions  of  the  General  AfTerobly. ' 

The  county  court  is  a  court  of  chancery,  empowered  to  hear  zxA 
determine  cafes  in  equity,  where  the  matter  in  demand  does  not 
exceed  one  hundred  pounds.  The  fuperior  court  has  cognifsmce  d 
all  cafes  where  the  demand  exceeds  that  furo.  Error  may  be  brou^ 
from  the  county  to  the  fuperior  court,  and  from  the  fuperior  coort 
to  the  fupreme  court  of  errors^  on  judgment  in  cafes  of  equity  s 
well  as  of  law. 

The  General  Aflembly  only  have  power  to  grant  pardons  and  re- 
prieves—to grant  commiflions  of  bankruptcy— or  proted  the  perfons 
and  eftates  of  unfortunate  debtors. 

The  conunon  law  of  England,  fo  far  as  it  is  applicable  to  tbli 
country,  is  confidered  as  the  common  law  of  this  State.  The  re- 
port of  adjudication  in  the  courts  of  king's  bench^  common  pleas, 
and  chancery,  are  read  in  the  courts  of  this  State  as  authorities ; 
yet  the  judges  do  not  confider  them  as  concluEvely  binding,  unlefi 
founded  on  folid  reafons  which  will  apply  in  this  State,  or  ian&ionei 
by  concurrent  adjudications  of  their  own  courts. 

The  feudal  fyflem  of  de&ents  was  never  adopted  in  this  State.  AH 
the  real  efiate  of  inteftates  is  divided  equally  among  the  children, 
males  and  females,  except  that  the  eldefl  fon  has  a  double  portico. 

And  all  eflates  given  in  tail  muft  be  given  to  focpe  peribn  then  in 
being,  or  to  their  immediate  iiTue,  and  (hall  become  fee  fimple  eftata 
to  the  ilTue  of  the  firfl  donee  in  tail.  The  widow  of  an  intefiate  it 
entitlal  to  a  third  part  of  the  perfonal  efiate  for  ever,  and  to  her 
dower,  or  third  part  of  the  houfes  and  lands  belonging  to  the  inte^ 
tate  at  the  time  of  his  death,  during  her  life. 

PRACTICE    OF    LAW. 

The  pradice  of  law  in  this  State  has  more  itmplicity,  but  lefs  pre- 
cifion,  tlian  in  England.    Aflifiants  and  judges  are  empowered  to 
iiTue  writs  through  the  State,  and  jullices  through  their  refpe^tive 
counties.    In  thefe  writs  the  fubflance  of  the  complaints^  or  .the  de- 
clarations mud  be  contained,  and  if  neither. of  the  parties -Iheir 
good  rpafon  for  delay,  the  caufes  are  heard  and  determined  the  Aroe 
term  to  which  the  writs  are  returnable.     Few  of  the  fictions  of'  law, 
fo  common  in  the  Englifli  practice,  are  known  in  this  State.    Tiv 
plaintiff  always  has  his  eletSlion  to  attach  or  fummon  the  defendaoi* 
Aaornies  ^re  admitted  40d^quaU$ed.by  the  cpuAty  courts*  ^V»rkm 

1% 


OP    CONNECTICUT.  279 

totbe^tdmifBon  to  the  bar,  they  muft  ftudy  two  years  with  a  prar- 
iHiog  attorney  in  the  State,  if  they  have  had  a  college  education^  and 
tiute  years  if  they  have  not ;  their  morals  muft  be  good,  and  their 
€]iaraders  unblemiihed,  and  they  muft  fufiain  an  examination  by  the 
attoroies  of  the  court  of  the  county  where  they  are  admitted,  and  be 
fejrtbem  recommended  to  the  court.  When  admitted  to  the  county 
court,  they  can  pra^ife,  without  other  qualifications,  in  any  court  ta 
4e  State.  There  are,  upon  an  average,  about  fifteen  attomies  to 
<ach  county,  oiie  hundred  and  twenty  in  the  State ;  a  very  great  pro- 
portion for  the  real  exigencies  of  the  people.  Yet  from  the  litigious 
fpirit  of  the  citizens,  the  moft  of  them  find  employment  and  fupport. 
There  is  no  attorney-general,  but  there  is  one  attorney  to  the  State  in 

tach  county. 

MODE  OF  LEVYING  TAXES. 

All  freeholders  in  this  State  are  required  by  law  to  give  in  lifts  df 
Aeir  rateable  eftate,  fuch  as  horfes,  horned  cattle,  cultivated  and 
iKmiltivated  land,  houfes,  fliipping,  all  forts  of  riding-carriages^ 
clocks  and  watches,  filver  plate,  money  at  intereft,  &c.  and  of  their 
!H)Us,  including  all  males  between  fixteen  and  feventy  years  of  age» 
Inleis  exempted  by  law,  to  perfons  appointed  in  the  refpeAive  towns 
D  receive  them,  on  or  before  the  Aoth  of  Auguft  annually.  The(c 
re  valued  according  to  law,  arranged  in  proper  order,  and  fent  to 
le  General  Afiembly  annually  in  May. 

^  The  fum  total  of  the  lift  of  the  polls  and  rateable  eftate  of  the  ioha* 
itants  of  Connecticut,  as  brought  in  to  the  General  Aifembly  in  May 
7879  was  as  follows  : 

Sum  total  of  the  fingle  lift         •  •         1,484,901    6    4^ 

AiTeiTments        •         •         •         •  •  47,790    &    9 

One  quarter  of  the  four-folds  •  •  i} ;  76    9    4 


Total    £.  i,S33>867  ««    Sl 


«*i 


Having  thus  taken  a  general  view  of  the  Napir-England  States,  we 
cannot  help  obferving,  that  prefent  appearances  warrant  us  in  con- 
dudiag  that  induftiy  and  happineis  are  in  a  very  great  degree  blended 
^  then,  that  they  offer  every  encouragement  for  the  former,  and 
^'^iHi  every  thing  neceflary  to  j>romote  the  latter  in  a  virtuous 
4"Mid.  In  thefe  States,  the  principlesr  of  liberty  are  univcrially  under^* 
^^^.  felt,  and  a£ted  upon,  asi  much  by  the  fimple  as  the  ivi£^  the 
4  ^  weak 


f8o  GENERAL   DESCfLIPTIOK 

vmt:  as  the  firong.    Their  deep-rootc^  aad  iavtt^raibe  baUt  oftU* 
mg  U»  th«t  ail  men  are  equal  U  their  righis^  that  />  i^  imp^kf^i^ 
item  •therujife ;  and  this  being  their  UDdifiUrbed  belief,  they  \^%^ 
CdXHreptipxi  how  any  mao  in  his  fenfes  can  entertain  any  other.   Tl^ 
inint.ODpe  fettled,  every  thing  is  fettled.    Many  openuiont  which  19 
Europe  have  been  confidered  as  incredible  tales  or  dangecof^s  ftx^ 
«ients>  are  byt  the  infallible  coniequences  of  diis  principle.   Tbe 
^^  of  thefe  operations  is  tl)e  hfifin^fs  of  eleSion^  which,  widi  Ae- 
people  of  New-England,  is  carried  on  with  as  much  gravity  as  their 
4aily  labour.    'Xhtxjt  is  no  jealoufy  on  the  occafion,  nothing  luci^ 
live  in  office ;  any  man  in  fociety  may  attain  to  ^y  place  in  the  g»* 
f  ernment,  and  n\ay  exercife  its  fun£lions.  They  believe  that  there  ip 
nothing  more  difficult  in  the  management  of  the  affairs  oi  a  DaMi, 
than  the  affairs  of  a  family ;  that  it  only  requires  more  hands*  They 
believe  that  it  is  the  jnggle  of  keeping  up  impoiitions  to  blind  the 
eyes  of  the  vulgar,  that  conflitutes  the  intricacy  of  ftate.     Baniihthft 
fuyfticifm  of  inequality,  and  you  banifh  almofl  all  the  evils  attendant 
on  human  nature. 

The  people  being  habituated  to  the  election  of  all  kitids  of  officers, 
the  magnitude  qf  the  office  makes  no  diffic^ilty  in  the  cafe*  Evny 
officer  is  chofen  with  as  little  commotion  as  a  churchwarden.  There 
is  a  public  fervice  to  be  perfornoed,  and  the  people  fay  who  (hall  do 
it.  The  fervant  feels  honoured  with  the  confidence  repofed  in 
him,  and  generally  exprelTes  his  gratitude  by  a  faithful  per- 
^'mance. 

Another  of  thefe  operations  is  making  every  citizen  a  foldier,  zxA 
every  foldier  a  citizen  ;  not  only  permitting  every  man  to  arm,  but 
obliging  him  to  arm.  This  fad,  told  in  Europe  previous  to  the  retro* 
lutioq,  would  have  gained  little  credit ;  or  at  leafl  it  would  have  beeo 
regarded  as  a  mark  of  an  uncivilized  people,  extremely  ^asgerou&tt> 
a  well-ordered  fociety.  Men  who  build  fyftems  on  an  inverfion  of 
nature,  are  obliged  to  invert  every  thing  that  is  to  make  part  of  that 
iyilem.  Jt  is  becaufe  the  people  are  civilized,  diat  they  are  with 
isSety  armed.  It  is  an  effect  of  their  confcious  dignity,  as  citizens 
enjoying  equal  rights,  that  they  wifh  not  to  invade  the  rights  of 
others.  The  danger,  where  there  is  any,  from  armed  citizens,  is  only 
to  tl^e  government,  not  to  the  fociety ;  and  as  long  as  they  have  no* 
4iing  to  revenge  in  the  government  (which  they  cannot  have  while 
it  is  in  their  own  hands)  there  are  many  advantages  in  their  Moj 
accuAomed  to  th«  ufe  of  arms,  and  no  poffible  diladvj^tage.  . 


'of    CONI^ECTICUT,  281 

Pmer^  habitually  in  tlie  bands  of  a  whole  community,  lofes  all 

i  ordinary  aflbciated  ideas  of  power.     The  exercife  of  power  is  a 

ative  term ;  it  fuppofesan  oppofition,  fomething  to  operate  upon. 

e  perceive  no  exertion  of  power  in  the  motion  of  the  planetary 

fem,  but  a  very  ftrong  ofie  in  the  movement  t>f  a  whirlwind  ;  it  is 

-•caufe  we  fee  obftru£lions  to  the  latter,  but  none  to  the  former. 

^hiere  the  government  is  not  in  the  hands  of  the  people,  there  you 

3d  oppofition,  you  perceive  two  contending  intercfts,  and  get  an 

fea  of  the  exercife  of  power ;    and  whether  this  power  be  in  the 

3nds  of  the  government  or  of  the  people,  or  whether  it  change  from 

de  to  fide,  it  is  always  to  be  dreaded.     But  the  word  people  in 

*.merica  has  a  different  meaning  from  what  it  has  in  Europe.    It 

lere  means  the  whole  corflmunity,  and  comprehends  every  human 

feature  ;  h«iioe  it  is  infipoffible  but'tHe  government  muft  proteft  the 

•eople,  and  the  people,  as  a  natural  confequence,  fupport  the  govera- 

oeiit  as  therr  o^vn  Jegitiixiate  offspring. 


Vol.  It.  b<i  mDD' 


(    aSz    ) 


Middle  states* 


p: 


A 


tEW.YORKi 

kEW^J^RSEif* 

PENNSYLVANIA^ 


DELAWARE^ 

TERRITORY  N.  W.  of  OHIQ^ 


JB, 


BOUNDED  north,  by  Upp^  Cihada,  from  which  they  are  fc 
rated  by  the  lakes  ;  eaft,  by  the  New-England  States ;  fouth,  by 
Atlantic  ocean,  Maryland,  Virginia!  and  the  Ohio  river,  which 
pmAc  ttiem  from  Kentiicky  t  weft,  by  the  Miffiffippl  river^ 

RIVERS  AND  BAYS. 

Thfc  pHiicipal  Hvcri  in  this  diftri£t  arc,  the  Hndfoii,^  the  Del 
l¥are,    ^  Sufqtlebannah^    the  Ohio,    the    Miififfippi,^  and  theii 
brahches;  York^  Delaw^re^  and  part  of  Cbefapeak  bay^  are  in 
diftria. 

CLIMATE, 

't'he  diniate  6f  this  grand  divilioh,  lying  almoft  in  tlie  fame  la' 
titude^y  Vliries  but  little  from  that  of  New-England :  there  are  ix/j 
two  fucceffive  years  alike ;  even  the  fame  fucceffive  feafons  anil 
months  differ  from  each  other  every  year  j  and  there  is,  perhaps? 
but  one  (leady  trait  in  the  chara^er  of  this  climate,  and  that  is,  it 
is  unlforhily  variable:  the  changed  of  weather  arc  great,  anil 
frequently  fuddeii.  The  range  of  the  quickfllver  in  Fahrenheit's 
therrfibmeter,  according  to  Dr.  Mitchell,  is  between  the  24th  degree 
below,  and  the  105th  degree  above  cypher ;  and  it  has  been  known 
to  vary  fifty  degrees  in  the  coiirfe  of  twenty-fix  hours;  Such  altera- 
tions are  much  more  confiderable  along  the  coaft  than  in  the  interior 
and  midland  parts  of  the  country  ;  and,  wherever  they  prevail,  ate 
accompanied  with  proportionate  chahges  in  the  air,  from  calms  to 
winds,  and  frdm  moifturc  to  drynefs.  Storms  and  hurricanes  fome- 
times  happen,  which  are  fo  violent  as  to  ovcrftt  vellels,  dcmoliili 
fences,  uproot  trees,  and  unroof  buildings.  Droughts,  of  fix  weeks 
Or  two  months  continuance,   occur  now  and  then.    Raiu  has  bcea 

kiiowa 


CENEHAt   BESCRII^TION,    &C.  9,^^ 

»wn  to  £all  in  fuch  abundance  that  the  learthi  by  meafurement^ 
received  fix,  five  inches  on  a  level,  in  (he  ihdrt  fpace  of  four 
irs.*  The  quantity  of  water  which  falls  in  rain  and  fnow,  one 
ir  with  another,  amounts  to  from  twenty rfour  to  thirty-fix  inches.'l' 
the  northern  parts  of  this  diftri£t  the  fnow  fells  in  larger  quanti« 
,  lies  longer,  and  the  cold  is  more  fieady  and  intenfe,  by  many 
;rees,  than  in  the  fouthern ;  hence  the  climate  of  the  former  is 
re  agreeable  in  widter,  and  that  of  the  latter  in  fuinno^r.  The 
re  weather  is  generally  in  the  month  of  Jyly ;  but  intenfely 
rm  days  are  ofren  felt  in  May,  June,  Auguft,  and  kptembef.— 
.  Rittenhouie  fays,  that  during  his  refidence  in  the  country,  ia 
State  of  Pennfylvania,  he  never  had  paifed  a  fummer  without 
:overing  froft  in  every  month  ia  the  year,  except  July.  Thf 
:ateft  degree  of  heat  upon  record  in  Philadelphjia,  in  1789,  wait^ 
\  The  fiandard  temperature  of  air  in  Philadelphia  is  52I  degrees^ 
kich  is  the  temperature  of  their  deeprft  wells^  and  the  mean  heat 
their  common  fpring  water.  There  are  feldom  more  than  four 
^nths  in  the  year  in  which  the  weather  is  agreeable  without  a  fire  ^ 
winter^  the  winds  generally  come  from  the  north-weft  in  fair,  and 
}m  the  northssafi  in  wet  weather.  The  north-weft  winds  are  uur 
>mn[u>nly  dry  as  well  as  cold* 

The  climate  on  the  weft  fide  of  the  Allegany  mountains  differs 
aterially  from  that  on  the  eaft  fide,  in  the  temperature  of  the  air^ 
id  the  effe^s  of  the  wind  upon  )the  weather,  and  in  the  quantity  of 
in  and  fnow  which  Call  every  year.  The  fouth-wefl  winds  on  the 
eft  fide  of  pae  moantaiQ  are  accompanied  by  cold  and  rain.  Th^ 
mperature  of  the  air  is  feldom  fo  cold  or  fo  hot,  by  feyeral  de* 
ees,  as  on  the  eail  fide  of  the  mountain. 

Pn  the  whole,  it  appears  that  the  climate  of  this  ^ivifion  of  the 
lilted  States  is  a  compound  of  moft  of  the  climates  in  the  world-^it 
is  the  moiftut;e  of  Ireland  in  the  fpring— the  heat  of  Africa  in  fum- 
cr— the  teipperature  of  Italy  in  June— the  iky  of  Egypt  in  au» 
nrin— the  /how  and  cojd  of  Noi^i^ay,  and  the  ice  of  Holland  in 
inter — ^the  tempefts,  in  a  certain  degree,  of  the  Weft-Indies  in 
ciy  feafon— and  the  variable  winds  and  weather  of  Great-Britain  in 
cry  month  of  the  year. 

From  this  accpunt  of  the  cjimate  of  this  diftri^,  it  is  eafy  to  afcer^ 
in  what  degrees  of  health,  and  what  difeafes  prevail.    As  the  inha- 

*  Dr.  Mitchill.  f  Dr.  Rufh. 

O  o  2  *  bitants 


284,  GENERAL    DESCRIPTIOW 

bitants  have  the  climates,  io  they  have  the  acute  difcafes  of 
countries  that  bavje   been  meutioned.   Although  it  might  be  fup-     =^ 
pofedj  that  with  fiich  changes  and  varieties  in  the  weather,  tkrei 
would  be  connedled  epidemical  difeafes  and    an  unwholfdinc  cli- 
mate, yet,  on  the  whole,  it  is  found  in  txiis  diftridt  to  be  as  hedth)| 
as  any  part  pf  the  Uaited  States.* 


' 


HISTORT  OF  ITS  SETTLEMENT^  lie. 

^  N  E  W-Y  O  R  K. 

The  colony  of  New- York  was  fettled  by  the  Dutch,  who  named  it 
the  New-Netherlands.  Charles  II.  refolved  upon  its  conqueft  in  1664, 
and  in  March  granted  to  his  bil^ther  the  Duke  of  York,  the  region, 
extending  from  the  weftern  banks  of  Connecticut  to  the  eaftern  (liorci 
of  the  Delaware,  together  with  Long-lftand,  conferring  on  him  the 
civil  and  military  powers  of  government.  Colonel  fNichols  was  fent 
with  four  frigates  and  three  hundred  foldiers  to  eflfeft  the  bufinefs. 
The  Dutch  governor  being  unable  to  make  refinance,  the  New-Ne- 
therlands fubmitted  to  the  Englifh  crown  in  September,  without  anjr. 
other  change  than  of  rulers.  Few  of  the  Dutch  removed :  and  Nichols 
inflantly  entered  upon  the  exercife  of  his  power,  as  deputy-governor 
of  the  Duke  of  York,  the  proprietary*       *  •      . 

In  July  1673,  the  Dutch  re -poflelTed  themfelves  of  the  province, 
by  attacking  it  fuddenly  when  in  a  defencelefs  Hate,  *  By  the  peace  in 
February  following  it  was  reftorecL     The  validity  of  the  grant, 
while  the  Dutch  were  in  quiet  pofleflion,  having  b^en- queftioned,  the 
Duke  of  York  thought  it  prudent  to  obtain  a  new  one  the  following 
June.;   and  Iidmund  Andros  having  been  appointed  governor,  the 
Dutch  reijgncd  rbeir  authority  to  him  in  October,     Thus  was  Ne^^'" 
York  regained  ;    biit  the  inhabitants  were  again  enflaved  to  thewu*- 
of  the  conqueror  ;  for  being  admitted  to  no  lliare  in  the  legiflatur^j 
they  were  iubject  to  laws  to  which  they  had  never  alTented, 

To  be  relieved  froir*  a  fervitude  that  had  degraded  the  colony,  an^ 
now  gave  dillatisftxlion  to  every  one,  the  council,  the  court  of  **-* 
fizes,  and  the  corooration  of  New- York,  concurred  in  foliciting  tt** 
Duke  "  to  permit  the  people  to  participate  in  the  legiflative  power*' 


*•'  The  foregoing  remarks  arc  grounded  on  the  authorities  of  Dr.  Rufti  and 
Mitchi.l,  who  have  ][;ubliihcd  the  refult  of  their  inquiries  in  Mr.  Carey's  Mufcu 
vols.  6th  and  7th.  •  "         • 


..i. 


O?   THE    MIDDLE    STATES,  aS^ 

;  Di^ke,   though  ftrongly  prejudiced  againft  democratic  ^flem* 
},  yet,  in  expedtation  that  the  inhabitants  would  ^grce  to  raife 
ley  to  difchargcthe  public  debts,  and  to  fettlcifucha  fund  for  the 
re  as  might  be  fiifficient  for  the  maintenance  of  the  government 
garrifon,  informed  the  lieutenant-governor,  in   1682,  that  *' he 
nded  to  eftablifli  the  fame  frame  of  government  as  the  other  plaa- 
)ns  enjoyed,  particularly  in  the  choofing  of  an  alTenjbly." 
Ir.  Dongan  was  appointed  governor  in  September,  and  inftrudled 
all  an  alfeiiibly,  to  confift  of  a  council  of  ten,  and  of  a  houfe  o£ 
•efentatives,  chofen  by  the  freeholders,  of  the  number  of  eighteen 
nbers.      The  aflembly  was  empowered  to  make  laws  for  the 
pie,  agreeable  to  the  general  jurifprudence  of  the  flate  of  Eng- 
1,  which  flibuld  be  of  i«d  force,  however,  without  the  ratification 
the  proprietary.     "  Thus  the  inhabitants  of  New-York,  after  be- 
ruled  almoft  twenty  years  at  the  will  of  the  Duke's  deputies,  were 
[  admitted  to  participate  in  the  legiflative  power," 
Vn  aflembly  was  called  on  governor  Dongan's  arrival,  which  paf- 
an  acSl  of  general  naturalization,  in  order  to  give  equal  privileges 
:he  various  kinds  of  people  then  inhabiting  the  province ;  toge- 
r  with  an  a6t  *:'  declaring  the  liberties  of  the  people  ;**  as  alfo  one 
3r  defraying  the  requifite  charges  of  government  for  a  limited  time." 
le  legiflature  wa$  convened  once  more  in  Auguft  1684,  when  it 
plained  the  laft  a6l,     Thefe  fe^m  to  have  been  the  only  afTemblies 
led  prior  to  the  revolution. 

When  the  Duke  became  King  of  England,  he  refufed  to  confirm 
It  grant  of  privileges  to  which  as  Duke  he  had  agreed.  He  enab- 
led a  real  tyranny,  and  reduced  New-York  once  more  to  the  de- 
^rable  condition  of  a  conquered  provinp.e. 

NEW   JERSEY. 

Sfevy-Jerfey,  which  was  alfo  taken  from  the  Dutch  (who  were  coa- 
-^ed  as  having  no  right  to  any  of  their  fettlements  in  thefe  parts  of, 
^Gi'ica)  was  included  in  the  grant  to  the  Duke  of  York.  The 
^^  difpofed  of  it  to  Lord  Berkley  and  Sir  George  Carteret,  in 
4>  "who  being  fole  proprietors,  for  the  better  fettlement  of  it 
^  upon  certain  conftitutions  of  government,  fo  well  reliihed, 
the  eafiern  parts  were  foon  confiderably  peopled.  One  of  the 
^^^.tions  was,  "  no  qualified  perfon,  at  any  time,  fhall  be  any 
^  rtiolefted,  punifhed,  difquieted,  or  called  into  queftion,  for  any 
**tiicc  in  opinion  or  practice  in  matters  of  rejigious  concernments, 

who 


286  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

^ho  does  not  adually  diihirb  the  civil  peace  of  the  province ;  hot  4 
and  every  fuch  perfon  and  perfons  may,  from  time  to  time,  and  atall   ^^:d 
times^  freeJy  and  hi\\y  have  and  enjoy  his  and  their  judgments  an4 
coDlciences,  in  matters  of  feligion,  they  behaving  thenafelves  peace* 
My  and  quietly,  and  not  ufing  this  liberty  to  liceotioulhefs,  nor  to 
the  civil  injury  or  optward  diflurbance  of  others;  *' any  law,  h*  l^^o 
tute,  or  claUfe  contained,    or  to  be  contained,    u^ge  or  cuftom  ^ti: 
of  the  realm  of  £ngland|  to  tlie  contrary  thereof  in  any  wife  notwithf 
'flanding.'**  ' 

The  lords  proprietors  further  agreed,  *f  for  the  bettef  fccurity  of  alj 
the  inhabitants  in  the  province — that  ^hey  are  not  to  Impofe,  nor  suf- 
T£R  TO  BE  IMPOSED,  any  tax,  cuftom,  fubfidy,  tallage,  aiTeflinent,  or 
any  other  duty  whatfoever,  upon  ;|ny  colour  or  pretence,  upon  the  faid 
province  and  inhabitants  thereof,  other  than  what  fhall  be  impofed 
by  the  authority  and  confent  of  the  General  AITembly.f'.f  What  can 
inore  ibongly  e^prefs  the  then  opinion  of  Lord  Berkley  and  Sjf 
jGeprge  Carteret,  as  to  the  parliament's  having  no  right  to  tax  th$ 
inhabitants  of  Uie  province,  poffefled  by  them  a^  lords  pro^  i^q. 
prietors  !  m^^ 

Lord  Berkley  (old  bis  moiety  of  the  province  to  John  Fenwkk^  if  m^^ 
trufl  for  Edward  Byllinge  and  his  afligns  in  1674.    After  which  the  gi^t 
proprietors,   £•  Byllinge,  William  Penn,  Gawen  Lawrie,  Nicholas 
Lucas,  apd.Edmond  Warner,  of  the  Quaker  perfuafion,  aj^dwitb 
Sir  George  Carteret  upon  a  divifion,  1676 ;  and  that  his  moiety  ihoulc^ 
be  calfcdNew  Eaft-Jerfey,  and  their'sNew  Weft-Jerfey.  The  agrcey 
p^tat  refpedting  the  not  impoiing  or  fuffering  to  be  impofed  aDjT 
tax,  &c.  was  adopted ;  the  other  flipulation.  is  worded  fomewha^ 
differently;    f' no  men,    nor  number  of    men  upon  earth,    hati^ 
power  or  authority  to  rule  over  men's  confciences  in  religious  roat^ 
ters  ',  therefore  it  is  confented,  agreed  and  ordained,  that  no  per 
or  perfons  whatfoever   within  the  province,  at  ^ny  time  or  tifp 
hereafter,  ihall  be  any  ways,  upon  any  pretence  whatfoever,  cplle 
in  qiiefiion,  or  in  the  leaft  punifliedor  hurt,  either  in  perfon,  eftataj^ 
or  privilege,  for  the  fake  of  his  opinion,  judgment,  faith,  or  wor^ 
ihip  towards  God,  in  matter*  of  religion  ;  but  that  all  and  every  fuel*- 
perfon  and  perfons  may,  from  time  to  time,  and  at  all  times,  frcdjT' 
and  fully  have  and  enjoy  his  ancj  their  judgments,  and  the  exercifcoJE 
thtir  confciences,  in  matters  of  religious  worfliip,  throughout  all  th^ 

*  Smiih's  Hiftory  of  New-Jerfey,  p.  513.  f  Ibid.  p.  517. 


dt^    THE    Mii>DLE    STATES.  iS'f 

jirorince.***  It  was  alfo  agreed,  "  that  all  elections  be  not  deter- 
mined by  the  common  and  confufed  way  of  cries  and  voices,  but  by 
putting  balls  into  balloting  boxes,  to  be  provided  for  that  purpofc, 
for  the  prevention  of  all  partiality,  and  whereby  every  man  may  frcdy 
choofe  according  to  his  own  judgment  and  honeft  intention.^f 

Soon  after,  many  Quakers  reforted  to  Weft-Jerfey  from  England, 
and  the  country  filled  apace.     But  the  people  early  experienced  the 
dreadful  efFeds  of  arbitrary  power.   Major  Andros,  the  governor  of 
New-York,  impofed  ten  per  cent,  on  all  goods  imported  at  the  Hoar« 
Kill,  J  and  demanded  five  per  cent,  of  the  fettlers  at  arrival  or  Jtfter- 
ward,   though    neither  Weft-Jerfey,    nor  the  Hoar-Kill,    was  le-» 
gaily  under  his   jurifdidion.      They  complained  of  the  hardftiipr 
from  the  firll,  but  bore  it  patiently,  till  about  1680,  when  applica- 
tion w^s  made  to  the  Duke  of  York,  who  referred  the  matter  to  the 
council,  where  it  refted  for  a  confiderablc  time,  sthd  then  was  re- 
ported in  their  favour,  and  the  duty  ordered  to  be  difcontinued. 
Among  the  arguments  ufed  by  MelTrs.  William  Penn,  George  Hut-' 
chinfon  and  others,  chiefly^  if  not  all  quakers,  in  the  paper  pre- 
fented  to  the  Duke's  commiffionefs,  were  thefe,  "powers  ofgovem- 
nient  are  exprefsly  granted  in  the  conveyance  Lord  Berkley  made  us, 
^or  that  only  could  have  induced  us  to  buy  it ;  and  the  reafon  is 
plain,  becaufe  to  all  prudent  men,  the  government  of  any  place  is 
^ore  inviting  than  the  foil ;  for  what  is  good  land  without  good 
iaH's  ?  the  better  the  worfe.    And  if  we  could  not  affure  people  of  aa 
^fy  and  free,  and  fafe  government,  both  with  refpedt  to  then-  fpi- 
■"'tual  and  worldly  property,  that  is,  an  uninterrupted  liberty  of  con- 
cience,  and  an  inviolable  pofleffion  of  their  civil  rights  and  fiec- 
loncis,  by  a  juft  and  wife  government,  a  mere  wildemefs  would'be  no 
•^^ouragement ;  for  it  were  a  madncfs  to  leave  a  free,  good,  and 
niproved  country,  to  plant  in  a  wildemefs,  and  there  adventure  many 
"oufands  of  pounds,  to  give  an  abfolute  title  to  another  perfon  to  tax 
^^s  at  will  and  pleafure.  Natural  right  and  human  prudence  4)ppoft, 
^^^   doarine  all  the  World  over,  as  fays,  "  that  people,  free  by  law, 
^^  vinder  their  prince  at  hbtne,  are  at  his  mercy  in  the  plantations 
^^'•oad."    The  king's  grant  to  the  Duke  of  York  is  plainly  reftric^ 
've  to  xh^^  laws  and  government  of  Englahdi    Now,  we  humbly  con- 

*  Smith,  p.  518,  529.  t  Ibid*  536. 

^oiTupted  by  time  into  Whore-Kill.    The  namfes  of  many  rivers,   in  New^ 
government  particulail/i   terminate  witU  ^^t    which  meani  bolh  river  and 


1L%S  GENERAL   DESCAIPTIOM' 

teWty  it  is  made  a  fundamental  in  our  conftitution  and  governtneA^ 
that  the  King  of  England  cannot  jufHy  take  his  fubjefts  goods  wtth* 
out  their  confent :  this  needs  no  more  to  be  proved  than  a  princip!4  I 
it :  is  JUS  indigene^  an  home-horn  light,  declared  to  be  law  by  divtri 
Hatutcs;  as  in  the  f^reat  charter,  ch.  29,  and  thirty-foUrth  Ed.  BT. 
ch.  2  ;  again  twenty-fifih  Ed,  ch.  7.*     To  give  up  the  power  of 
making  hiws  is  tochaii'x  the  govcrnnKiit,  to  fell  or  rather  refignouri 
fclves  to  the  will  of  another,  and  thnt  for  nothing;  for  we  buy  nothing 
of  the  Duke,  if  not  the  right  of  an  nndiihirbed  colonizing,  with  no  di- 
minution, but  cxpcftr.tion  of  fome  increafe  of  thofe  freedoms  aiid  privi^ 
leges  enjoyed  in  our  own  country.  We  humbly  fay,  that  we  have  not 
ioft  any  part  of  our  lihcrty  by  leaving  our  country ;  but  we  tiranfplantti 
a  pl:icf;,  with  exprefs  limitation  to  erc6t  no  polity  contrary  to  the  et 
tabliflicd  governmcr.t  (of  EngLmd)  but  as  near  as  may  be  to  it;  and 
this  variation  is  nilowcd,  but  for  the  fake  of  emergehcies  5  and  that 
latitude  bourwled  wiih  thefe  words,  for  the  ^ood  of  the  adventur&r  ai 
planter.    Tlui  tax  is  not  to  he  found  in  the  Duke's  conveyances,  but 
is  an  after  bufinefs.    Had  the  planters  forefeen  it,  they  would  fixwirf 
have  taken  \]p  in  any  other  plantation  in  America  (a  plain  iiltimatiod 
that  no  fuch  tax  was  impofcd  in  any  other  American  plantationi) 
Befide,  there  is  no  end  of  this  power  \  for  fince  we  are  by  this  precei 
dentafloiTed  without  any  law,  and  thereby  excluded  our  Englifh  rigfal 
of  common  alTent  to  taxes ;  what  fecurity  have  we  of  any  thing  vt 
pofTefs  ?  We  can  call  nothing  our  own,  but  are  tenants  at  will,  not 
only  for  the  foil,  but  for  all  our  j>erfonal  cftates  ;    we  endute  pc* 
nury,  and  the  fweat  of  our  brows,  to  improve  them  at  our  own  ha- 
zard only.   This  is  to  tranfplant  from  good  to  bad.     This  fort  of 
conduct  has  deftroyed  government,  but  never  raifed  one  to  any  tro^ 
greatnc    .f" 

The  paper  prefented  to  the  Duke*s  comthiffioners  evidently 
proves,  that  it  was  the  opinion  of  thofe  gentlemen,  who  were  Qna-^ 
kers,  that  no  tax  could  be  juftly  impofed  upon  the  inhabitants  witb-^ 
out  their  own  confent  firll  had,  and  by  the  authority  of  their  owi^ 
General  Aflfembly,  The  report  of  the  council  in  favour  of  the  ag^" 
grieved,  and  the  relief  that  followed,  were  virtual  conccffions  to  th^ 
fame  purport.     This  will  not  be  judged  wholly  unprecedented b^ 

*  The  manufaipt  copy  contains  a  number  of  authorities  from  Braxton,  '^atoSf^^ 
the  Pc-riiion  of  Rijht,  &c.    Sec  Smith,  p.  120,  the  note. 
t  Snyth,  i\  117,  123. 


Of   THfi   MIDDLE    StAT£S«  289 

lofis  Who  are  acquainted  with  what  happened  relative  to  the  coun« 
r*palatine  and  city  of  Chefler,  ih  the  thirty-fifth  year  of  the  reign  of 
[enty  VIIL  The  inhabitants  complained  in  a  petition  to  the  king, 
that  for  want  of  knights  and  burgefles  in  the  court  of  parliament 
ley  fufhuned  manifold  daitiages,  not  only  in  their  lands,  goods,  and 
odiesy  but  in  the  civil  and  politic  governance  and  maintenance  of 
le  commonwealth  of  their  faid  county :  and  that  while  they  had 
een  always  bound  by  the  a6ts  and  llatutes  of  the  faid  court  of  par* 
ament^  the  fame  as  other  counties,  cities,  and  boroughs  that  had 
nights  and  burgeifes  in  faid  court,  they  had  often  been  touched  and 
rieved  with  adls  and  ilatutes  made  within  the  faid  court,  as  well  de* 
ogatoiy  unto  the  moft  ancient  jurifdi6tions,  liberties,  and  privileges 
»f  the  faid  county-palatine,  as  prejudicial  unto  the  commonwealth^ 
[uietnefs  and  peace  of  his  majefty's  fubjedts.**  They  propofed  to  the 
^ing,  as  a  remedy,  <<  that  it  would  pleafe  his  highnefs,that  it  be  ena6led» 
vith  the  aiTent  of  the  lords  fpiritual  and  temporal,  and  by  the  com- 
HODS  in  parliament  aflembled,  that  from  the  end  of  the  feflion  the 
:ounty-palatine  fhall  have  two  knights  for  the  faid  county,  and  like- 
vife  two  citizens  to  be  burgeifes  for  the  city  of  Chefler."  The  com- 
plaint and  remedy  were  thought  to  be  fo  juftand  reafonable,  that,  the 
^lief  for  which  they  prayed  was  granted,  and  \hcy  were  admitted  to 
«nd  reprefentatives  to  parliament. 

PENNSYLVANIA  AND  DELAWARE. 

Mr,  William  Penn,  One  of  the  joint  purchafers  of  the  weflem  part 
'  the  Jerfeys,  having  received  correft  information  of  the  country  to 
^  vveflward  of  the  Delaware,  while  engaged  in  the  adminiftration  of 
*  joint  purchafe,  became  defirous  of  acquiring  a  fepai^te  eflate. 
*^e  accordingly  prefented  a  petition  to  Charles  II.  in  June,  i6go, 
^ing  not  only  his  relationfhip  to  the  late  admiral,  but  that  he  was 
pi'ived  of  a  debt  due  from  the  crown  when  the  exchequer  was  fhut, 
^  praying  for  a  grant  of  lands,  lying  to  the  northward  of  Mary- 
^<J>  and  weflward  of  the  Delaware  ;  adding,  that  by  Ikis  intereft  he 
^wld  be  able  to  fettle  a  province  which  might  in  time  repay  his  claims. 
Having  the  profpeft  of  fuccefs,  he  copied  from  the  charter  of 
^ry ^and  the  fketch  of  a  patent,  which  in  November  was  laid  before 
^  *^ttorney-general  for  his  opinion.  Mr,  Penn  had  the  fame  obje6t 
^le^v  as  Lord  Baltimore,  the  guarding  againfl  the  exertions  of  pre- 
^tive,  which  both  had  found  to  be  very  inconvenient.  The  *- 
^^^general  declared  the  claufe  of  exemption  from  taxation  illegal : 
^^hief  Juflice  North  being  of  the  fame  opinion,  and  obfcrving  its 
^^  t-.  IL  P  p  tea-. 


290  GENCRAL    DESCRIPTION 

tendency,  added,  '*  laving  of  the  authority  of  the  Englifh  pttl!l< 
iricnt/'  fo  that  it  was  ftipuiated  by  the  king,  for  himfelf  and  hisfuc- 
ceflbis,  "  that  no  cuftom  or  other  contribution  fliotlld  belaid  on  the 
inhabitants  or  their  eflatcs,  unJefs  by  the  confent  of  the  proprietarj 
or  governor  and  afTembly,  or  by  a£t  of  parliament  in  England." 

The  next  year  the  patent  was  granted  in  con(ideration  of  **  the 
merits  of  the  father,  and  the  good  purpofts  of  the  fon,  in  order  to 
•extend  the  Englifh  empire,  and  to  promote  ufeful  commodiiica," 
It  was  provided,  that  the  fcjvereignty  of  the  king  fliould  be  pre- 
fcrved,  and  a6ts  of  parlianrient  concerning  trade  and  navigation, 
and  the  cuitoms  duly  obferved.  Mr.  Penn  was  empowered  to 
aflemblc  the  freemen  or  their  delegates,  in  i'uch  form  as  he  ihouM 
think  proper,  for  railing  money  for  the  iifcs  of  the  colony,  and  for 
making  ufeful  laws,  not  contrary  to  thofe  of  England  or  the  rights  of 
the  kingdom.  Duplicares  of  the  ads  oi  the  Aflcnibly  were  to  be  tranf- 
mitted  within  five  years  to  the  king  in  council,  and  ihea£ts  might  be 
declaied  void  within  fix  month.^;,  if  not  approved. 

The  novel  introduction  of  the  claufe  fubje^ing  the  inhabitants  of 
Pennfylvania  to  taxation  by  ad  ot  parliament,  might  afford  au  argu- 
ment againfl  being  fo  taxed,  to  all  the  colonies  whofe  charters  con- 
tained no  fucb  clauie.     Dr.  Franklin  being  alked,  when  examined  bf 
the  Houfc  ot  Commons  in  the  time  of  the  llamp  ad,  "  Seeing  there 
is  in  the  Pcnnfyivauiu  charter,  an  e::p:'ers  rclervation  of  the  right  of 
parliament  to  lay  taxcb  there,  how  could  the  AfTembly  afTert,  that  lay- 
ing a  tax  on  them  by  the  llamp  ad  was  an  infringement  of  their 
rights?"  anfwered,  *^  They  underftand  it  thus — By  the  fame  char- 
ter and  otherwifc,  tney  aie  ennt.ed  to  all  the  piivileges  and  liberties 
of  Enghfhmcn.     "J^he y  find  in  i];e  great  charters  and  the  petition  aao 
declaiation  of  rights,  that  one  of  the  privileges  of  Englifh  fubjefts  is^i 
that  they  are  not  to  be  f.ix^d  out  by  tlKir  own  content ;  they  hav^ 
therefore  relied  upon  it,  from  the  fiift  fettlement,  that  the  parliamcr* 
;iiever  would  or  coulct,  by  colour  of  that  clauie,  tax  them  till  it  b^^ 
qualified  itfinf  for  the  exerciie  of  fuch  right,  by  admitting  repreient^ 
tives  from  the  people  to  be  taxed."     Cyovernor  Nichohon's  langua^ 
■  was  to  the  lame  //urpofe ;  writing  to  the  board  of  trade  in  1698, 1^ 
obfcrves,  that  '*  a  gjeatnwtiypcop'e  of  all  the  colonies  think,  thatr^ 
:  law  of  England  ou^iit  to  be  binding  to  them  without  their  ovT" 
confeiit;  for  they  lay,  they  have  no  icprefeniatives  lent  frofi  thcff* 
lelvcs  to  the  parliament  of  England." 

in  May,  .Mr.  ^cnrJ^letacUed  Mr.  Markham,  his  kinfman,  withafiw^ 
«inigration,  in  01  dec  to  ^take  poiTciliou  of  the  coutury  and  prcpait  S 

i(t0 


OP    THE    MIDDLE    STATES.  29I 

a  more  numerous  colony ;  yid  Mr.  Markham  had  it  in  cliarge  to 
r  an  humane  attention  to  the  rights  of  the  Indians, 
rfae  frame  of  government  for  Pennfylvania  was  publiihed  in 
n\f  1 68a  ;  and  as  a  fupplement  in  the  fubfequent  Mayt  a  body 
laws  were  agreed  upon  by  the  proprietary  and  adventurer?^ 
ch  was  intended  as  a  great  charter,  and  does  honour  to  their  wif- 
]  as  (latefmen,  their  ;Tiora1s  as  men,  and  their  fpint  as  colonifls. 
i'hefe  laws,  which  were  termed  probationary,  were  to  be  fub- 
ed  to  the  explanation  and  confirmation  of  the  firfl  General 
imbly  which  ihould  be  convened  in  the  province.  This  was  un- 
btedly  a  prudent  meafure,  for  events  made  it  manifeft  that  a 
tr  acquaintance  with  the  local  circumHances  of  the  country,  ren« 
d  many  changes  necelTary ;  nor  was  tliis  the  only  advantage,  for 
lis  agreement  the  authority  of  the  legidature  was  eilablifhed,  and 
lered  neceflary  in  all  future  laws  and  regulations. 
[r,  Penn,  defirous  of  extending  his  territory  fouthward  to  the 
fa])eak,  folicited  the  Duke  of  York  for  a  grant  of  the  Delaware 
ny ;  and  accordingly  the  prince  conveyed  to  him,  in  the  month 
Liigufl,  the  town  of  Newcaftle,  with  a  territory  of  twelve  miles 
id,  as  alfo  that  tra^  of  land  extending  fouthwaKi  from  it  upon 
Delaware  to  cape  Henlopen. 

)r  a  coniiderable  portion  of  this  grant  Lord  Baltimore  put  in  a 
1,  and  three  feveral  applications  were  made,  on  behalf  of  his 
l(hip,  to  the  Executive  Government  of  England;  it  appears, 
iver,  by  the  feveral  orders  of  council  made  in  confequence  of 
:  applications,  and  dated  1683,  i68(;,  and  1709,  that  they  con- 
ed his  Lorddiip's  claim  as  unfounded,  and  of  confequence  con« 
'd  the  grant  made  to  Mr.  Penn. 

hen,  for  the  firft  time,  Mr.  Penn  arrived  on  the  banks  of  the  De- 
*e,  Odober  the  24th,  he  fmmd  them  inhabited  by  three  thoufand 
•ns,  compofed  of  Swedes,  Dutch,  Finlanders,  and  Englifli.  Not 
his  own  coloniils,  but  the  reft,  received  him  with  joy  and  re- 
He  was  accompanied  by  about  two  thou fiind  emigrants,  who 
;  either  Quakers  or  other  diffenters,  fought  the  enjoyment  of 
religious  fcntiments  in  a  country  that  offered  a  peaceful  afyium  to 
erfecuted.  Mr.  Perm  immediately  entered  into  a  treaty  with  the 
03,  and  purchafed  from  them  as  much  of  the  foil  as  the  circum- 
is  of  the  colony  required^  for  a  price  that  gave  them  fatisft^ion  : 
o  fettled  with  them  a  very  kind  correfpondcncc.  In  December 
Evened  the  fiil't  Aflembly  at  Chefter,  corrfifting  of  feventy-two 
itesfrom  the  fix  couniies,  into  which  they  had  divided  Pennfyl- 

P  p  a  vania^ 


igi  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

vania,  and  the  Delaware  colony,  foon  after  denominated  the  territorief« 
The  inhabitants  propofed  that  the  deputies  might  ferve  both  for  tfae 
provincial  council  and  General  Aifembly ;  three  out  of  every  coonty 
for  the  former,  and  nine  for  the  latter.    Their  propofals  weft  pafled 
by  the  AfTembly  without  helitation  into  an  ad  of  iettlement.    The 
perfons  returned  were  declared  to  be  the  legal  council  and  Amenably, 
and  every  county  was  empowered  to  fend  the  fame  number  in  future, 
which  in  the  fame  manner  (hould  conftitute  the  legiflature ;  and  after 
the  addition  of  a  few  other  explanations,  the  modified  frame  of 
government  was  folemnly  recognifed  and^accepted*    An  ad  was  then 
paiTed,  annexing  the  territories  to  the  province,  and  conmiunicating 
to  the  one  the  fame  privileges,  government  and  laws,  as  the  other     ' 
already  enjoyed^  Every  foreigner  who  promifed  allegiance  to  the  king,     | 
and  obedience  to  the  laws,  was  declared  to  be  a  freeman,  and  entitled 
to  his  rights.    By  the  legillative  regulations,  eflablifhed  as  fundamen- 
tals by  this  Aifembly,  factors  who  wronged  their  employers  were  to 
make  latisfadion,  and  one-third  over — not  only  the  goods,  but  the 
lands  of  the  debtor  were  fubjeded  to  the  payment  of  debts— ever/ 
thing  which  excited  the  people  to  rudenefs,  cruelty  and  irreli^on*' 
was  to  be  difcouraged  and  fc\'erely  punifhed — no  perfon  acbiow-* 
1  edging  one  God,  and  living  peaceably  in  fociety,  was  to  be  molcftc^*- 
for  his  opinions  or  practice,  or  to  be  compelled  to  frequent  or  maia— ' 
tain  any  miniftry  whatfoever.     It  was  a  principle  of  the  great  char-* 
ter,  that  children  fhould  be  taught  fome  ufeful  trade,  to  the  end  tha^'^ 
none  might  be  Idle,  but  that  the  poor  man  might  work  to  livey  ao^ 
the  rich,  if  they  became  poor,  might  not  want. 

The  a£t  of  fettlement  not  giving  fatisfa^ion,  a  fecond  frame  wa,  ^ 
prepared  by  Mr.  Penn,  agreeing  partly  with  the  firft,  and  modified 
according  to  the  a6t  of  fettlement  in  certain  particulars,  but  in  fom^ 
pieafure  different  from  both :  to  this  the  alTent  of  the  next  Afleinbl^ 
>vas  in  1683  given  ;  but  in  time  it  (liared  the  fate  of  the  former. 

In  1684  Mr.  Penn  departed  for  England,  at  which  time  it  appear^ 
that  the  interefts  arid  paffions  of  the  fettlers  had  produced  a  diverfit^ 
of  fentiment,  which  was  probably  increafed  after  the  departure  0:^ 
the  proprietary ;  for  we  find  the  deputy- governor  Blackwell,  wh^ 
eutered  on  his  government  in  1688,  bringing  this  charge  again^B 
them.  It  is  evident,  however,  that  thefe  diiTenfions  and  animofitie^ 
bore  no  rcfemblancc  to  thofe  "  violent  diffenfiom^'*  with  which  thc]^ 
have  been  charged.  Indeed,  on  as  particular  an  inveftigation  of  thi* 
fubje6V  as  we  have  found  it  poffibie  to  make,  it  appears  more  tbaiP- 
probable,  that  this  charge  is  lil^e  moft  pf  tl^ofe  brought  forwaw 


OF    THE    MIDDLE   STATES.  3^3 

'  overbearing  governors,  when  unable  to  effc€t  th^ir  own  fchenoes* 
ackwell  certainly  was  oppofed  in  his  views  by  the  PenniylvaDians  ; 
d  this  may  very  eafily  account  for  the  charge  be  brought  againft 
em;   and  this  opinion  appears  warranted  by  the  anfwer  they 
ade  to  it.    They  obferve,  that  *'  As  for  the  charge  of  animofities 
d  diflenfiions  amongft  us  before  thy  conaing  here,  it  is  fo  general 
at  we  can  make  no  farther  anfwer,  than  that  in  matters  of  g<H 
trafnent  our  apprehenfions  were  otherwife,  the  end  of  good  govern- 
ent  being  anfwered,  in  that  power  was  fupported  in  reverence  with 
le  people,  and  the  people  were  fecured  from  the  abufe  of  power.'* 
The    government    of  Pennfylvania    was    adminiftered    in   the 
me  of  James  II.  for  fome  time  after  William  and  Mary  were 
trmally  proclaimed  in  fome  of  the  other  colonies.     This  circnm* 
iQce  was  improved  by  the  enemies  of  Mr.  Penn  to  his  difadvan* 
ge.     His  attachment  to  the  unhappy  prince  who  had  been  driven 
)m  the  throne  was  held  forth  in  fuch  a  light,  as  to  caufe  him  to 
:  confidered  by  many  as  an  enemy  to  the  Protcftant  religion;  and 
J  appears  for  fome  time  to  have  been  excepted  out  of  the  aft  of 
ace  palTed  by  King  William  and  Queen  Mary,  who  appointed 
ol.  Fletcher  governor  of  both  New-York  and  Pennfyivania  in  1693. 
In  the  commiiBon  no  manner  of  regard  feems  to  have  been  had 
» the  original  charter.   But  when  the  Aflembly  met,  though  fixteen 
lort  in  number  to  what  had  been  before  ufual,  through  the  change 
»ade  in  the  writs,  they  pafled  a  vote  nem,  con,  **  That  the  laws  of 
>s  province,  which  were  in  force  and  praftice  before  the  arrival  of 
'a  preient  governor,  are  ilill  in  force :  and  that  the  Aflembly  hav^ 
ight  humbly  to  move  the  governor  for  a  continuation  or  confirma* 
n  of  the  lame."    That  and  fubfequent  Aflemblies  fhewed  fuch  a 
cd  determination  to  fecure  their  rights,  that  neither  governor  nor 
^tenant-governor  could  bring  them  to  bend  to  their  wiflies.  . 
The  charges  brought  againft  Mr.  Penn,  of  being  the  friend  of 
pery  and  arbitrary  government,  were  certainly  unfounded.   That 
^^  his  father's  ftation,  and  his  own  public  fpirit,  he  obtained  free 
-cf3  to  the  court,  and  was  efleemed  and  favourably  received  by 
'^g  James,  is  certain  ;  and  that  a  man  of  an  amiable  difpofitidi^ 
'     gnodnefs  of  heart  (liould  .feel  the  attachment  of  gratitude,  is 
^Her  wonderful  nor  blameworthy.    But  though  his  perfonal  at- 
•^tnent  to  James  was  great,  in  no  one  inftance  does  he  appear  to 
"^  adopted  his  arbitrary  fyftcm  of  politics,  or  his  religious  pre- 
^Xces.     The  adminiflration  of  the  government  of  Pennfyivania  iii 
^    name  of  James,  after  the  revolution,  ought  pot  therefore  to  be 


294  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

attributed  to  any  arbitrar}*  principles  of  bis,  and  inuchlefsoDglit'it 
to  be  attributed  to  any  deference  the  fettlers  felt  for  the  proprietaiy'i 
partiality  for  a  prince,  wliofe  abdicated  throne  was  filled  with  fudi 
general  fatisfa^ion.   The  more  probablo  caufe  was,  the  infancy  ud 
comparative    infignificancy  of  the  colony,    which  might  occafioD 
the  proper  meafiires  for  cftablifliing  the  authority  of  thePrinccflf 
Orange  to  be  delayed.     Certain  it  is,  chat  when  proper  meafures 
were  t^ken  for  the  purpofe  they  met  with  no  oppofition,  nor  did 
any  circumAance  occur  which  might  lead  to  a  conchifion,  that  it  vas 
repugnant  to  the  wiflies  of  either  the  proprietary  or  fettlers. 
'   In  1696,  Mr.  Penn  was  reftored  to  his  right  of  naming  a  gorer" 
nor,  as  well  as  all  his  other  privilegp^.     The  government,  by  this  ad^ 
inuft  be  contidered  as  openly  rtnouncing  the  fufpicions  it  had  nih 
jnftly  entertained  againft  a  virtuous  man,  and  declaring  the  ma]evo« 
]ent  charges  exhibited  againft  him  to  be  unfounded. 

In  the  beginning  of  1700  he  went  to  Peimfyhrama,  and  after  the 
meeting  of  frveral  AfTemblies,  he  convened  one  in  September,  1701, 
and  informed  them  of  the  indifpenfable  neceffity  be  was  under  of 
agnin  going  to  England,  to  obviate  fume  ill  ofHces  done  by  his  snd 
thtir  enemies  with  the  government  there ;  he  at  the  fame  time 
urged  them  to  take  proper  measures  to  fecure  their  privileges  and 
properties.  He  further  offered  to  leave  the  nomination  of  the  cfe* 
puty-governor  to  tliemfelves,  but  they  declined  it. 

The  Aflembly,  agreeably  with  Mr.  Penn's  requeft,  entered  oatbe 
confideration  of  a  charter  of  privileges ;  this  charter  occafioned  t 
breach  between  the  members  of  the  province  and  thofc  of  the  ter- 
ritories;  tlic  latter  infifting  upon  fome  privileges,  which,  when  re* 
fufed  by  the  others,  made  them  withdraw  from  the  meeting*  By  1 
Ihc  ambority  and  addrefs  of  the  proprietary,  however,  the  breach 
was  apparently  made  up,  and  a  charter  of  privileges  prepared,  and 
ratified  before  Mr.  Penn  embarked,  which  became  the  rule  of  go* 
vcrnmcnt  in  Pennfylvania.  By  this  important  charter  liberty  of  cor^* 
fcieiKre  was  granted,  and  all  Chriftians,  of  whatever  denominatioi>i 
were  enabled  to  ferve  the  government  either  legiflatively  or  cxeet** 
lively.  This  charter  is  a  (landing  monument,  and  an  incontrt^' 
vertible  proof,  that  neither  Mr.  Penn  nor  the  fettlers  of  Pennfylvania^ 
were  a^hiated  by  gloomy  fuperftit'on  or  arbitrary  principles. 

By  the  fecond  ai'ticle  of  the  charter  it  was  provided,  that  an  Af^ 
femhly  (liould  be  yearly  cliofen  by  the  freemen,  to  coniift  of  (oxt^ 
pcifons  out  of  each  county,  or  of  a  greater  number;  if  the  go^e^^ 
por  Bttd  AiTcniibly  -ihould  fo  agree,  on  the   ift  cf  Odoher,  anc^ 

(tofll* 


OP    THE    MIDDLE   STATES.  i^^ 

ticmid  fit  on  the  14th  following,  vifiih  power  to  chufe  a  fpeaker  and 
kther  officers,  and  be  judges  of  the  qualifications  and  eledions  of 
heir  own  members ;  fit  upon  their  own  adjournments,  prepare  bilis^ 
cnpeach  criminals,  and  redrefs  grievances ;  and  pofiefs  all  other 
Kjwers  and  privileges  of  an  Affembly,  according  to  the  rights  of  the 
rec'-bom  fubje6ts  of  England,  and  the  cuftoms,  obfcrved  in  any  of 
he  king's  plantations  in  America.  If  any  county  or  counties  ihould 
legleft  to  fend  deputies,  thofe  who  met,  provided  they  were  not 
ewer  in  number  than  two  thirds  of  the  whole,  were  to  be  coafi* 
lered  as  the  legal  reprefentatives  of  the  province. 

By  the  eighth  article,  in  cafes  of  fuicide,  all  property  was  to  de- 
fend to  the  next  heirs,  as  if  the  decealed  had  died  a  natural  death  ; 
aor  was  the  governor  to  be  entitled  to  any  forfeiture,  if  a  perfoa 
Ehould  be  killed  by  cafualty  or  accident.  The  fame  article  provided^ 
that  no  a6^,  law  or  ordinance  whatfoever,  fhould  at  any  time  after 
be  made,  to  alter  or  diminifli  the  form  or  efie<ft  of  this  charter,  or 
©f  any  part  of  it,  without  the  copfent  of  the  governor  for  the  time 
fceing,  and  fix  parts  in  feven  of  the  Aflembly  met— that  the  firft  ar- 
ticle, relating  to  liberty  of  confcience,  lliould  be  kept  without  any 
ilieration  inviolably — and  that  William  Penn,  for  himfelf,  &c.  did 
fclcmnly  declare,  that  neither  he^  &c.  fhould  do  any  thing  whereby 
tile  liberties  in  tliis  charter  contained,  nor  any  part  ]:bereof,  fhould 
be  infringed  j  and  that  if  any  thing  fliould  be  done  by  any  perfoR 
contrary  thereto,  it  fliouId  be  held  of  no  efted. 

This  new  conftitution  differed  greatly  from  the  original.    The 

governor  might  nominate  his  own  council,  and  he  was  left  fingle  in 

the  executive  part  of  the  government,  and  had  liberty  to  rcflrain  the 

tegiflativc,  by  rcfufing  his  afTent  to  their  bills.     The  Aflembly,  on 

™  other  hand,  acquired  the  important  privilege  ^f  propounding 

^ws,  as  well  as  of  amending  or  rejecting  them ;  but  though  this 

^^^  conflitution  was  thankfully  accepted  by  the  province,  it  was 

ieje<5^e^  by  the  territories  j  and  affairs  flood  in  this  untoward  ftate 

^'^^n  the  proprietary  failed  for  England.   The  reprefentatives  of  the 

t^^^vit^ce  and  thofe  of  the  territories  divided,  and  aAed  as  two  dif- 

^^^  bodies,  and  the  after  attempts  to  unite  them  proved  ineffeduaL 

*  he  territories  confifted  of  the  three  counties,  Newcafllc,  Kent, 

SiiiTex  on  the  Delaware,  commonly  known  by  the  name  of  the 

^  Lifwer  Counties  on  the  Ddawaft, 

*^<>ai  the  time  of  Mr.  Penn's  departure  for  England  to  the  year 
^^   the  difputes  in  this  province  ran  high.     At  this  time  thcAf 
'y  came  to  nine  r<;foJucions,  which  were  forirvcd  into  a  remoti- 


196  GENERAL    DESCRIPTIOK 

firance^  and  fent  to  Mr.  Pcnn  in  England,  under  the  title  of  **  Headi 
of  Complaint."    The  three  ntft,  only  immediately  apply  to  himfelf | 
the  next  five  to  oilicers  a6ting  under  his  commiffion  ;  and  the  ninth 
ia  an  injunction  to  him  not  to  furrender  the  government.    Thofe 
againft  him&lf  import^  ill.  That  by  his  artifices,  the  feveral  charters 
granted  at  the  firfl  fettling  of  the  province  were  defeated:  2dlj. 
That  the  power  of  difiulution  and  prorogation,  and  calling  Aifem- 
blies  by  bis  writs,  grained  to  his  prefent  and  former  deputies,  were 
contrary  to  the  fald  charter :  and  3d]y.  That  he  had  received  great 
fums  of  money  when  lall  there,  for  negotiating  the  confirmation  of 
their  laws,  for  making  good  terms  for  the  people  of  the  proviacei 
aind  eafing  his  friends  clierc  of  oaths,  &c.  but  that  the  expected  b^ 
nefits  had  not  appeared.    The  two  firft  evidently  relate  to  the  alte* 
rations  efietfted  by  the  charter  of  1701.    But  Dr.  Franklin  (inbil 
Hiilorical  Review)  after  comparing  the  privileges  they  had  given  up 
with  what  they  had  gamed  by  that  charter,  admits,  that  *'  upon  the 
whole,  there  was  muc/j  more  reafon  for  acknowledgments  than  com* 
plaints :"  end  with  refpciEl  to  the  lail,  it  does  not  appear  that  the 
fums  received  were  not  faithfully  expended,  although  the  advan- 
tages they  were  intended  to  procure  might  not  appear  till  afterwards 
The  otlier  heads  of  complaint  refer  to  defe6ts  in  the  conftitutiot^ 
or  to  the  opinions,  extortions,  and  other  mal-pradices  of  fome  of 
the  officers  of  government,  for  which  the  proprietary  could  be  only 
chargeable  on  his  neglcd  to  pay  proper  attention  to  thofe  complaintsj 
which  does  not  appear.    One  of  the  latter  complaints,  indeed,  is  at* 
-  tributed  to  his  reiufal,  in  1701,  to  pafs  a  bill  to  regulate  fees,  && 
but  the  circumilances  which  attended,  and  might  judify  that  reiiilali 
are  not  Aated. 

This  violent  difllnfion  happened  in  the  time  of  the  Deputy*go- 
veruor  Evans,  whofc  government  Dr.  Franklin  defcribes  as  **  one 
continued  broil  from  the  beginning  of  it  to  the  end."   .But  as  it  ii 
remarked  by  the  fanie  author,  that  the  General  AfTciiibly  in  two  or 
three  years  after,  alTuiiicd  a  very  different  tone,  "  almoft  as  com- 
plail'ant  as  he  (the  deputy-governor)  could  wifli,**  it  is  prefumabki 
either  that  the  occafions  of  complaint  had  ceafed,  or  that  they  dif- 
fered with  their  predecelTors  in  opinion  of  their  having  ever  exiiletf. 
That  at  leaft  they  were  greatly  exaggerated  is  eafy  to  believe,  what 
we  advert  to  the  circiimftanccs  of  what  the  do6tor  calls  **  this  tur-*>* 
buleat  period,'*  wherein  he  lays,  "  heat  kindled  heat ;  animofity  cr:;^, 
cited  animofity  ;  and  each  party  rcfolving  to  be  always  in  the  rig^-;^ 
were  often  both  in  the  vvrong.*^ 

I  STA'T/ 

1 


(     ^^91    ) 


STATE    OF 


N  E  W  -  Y  O  R  K. 


SITUATION,  EXTENT,  &c, 

_1  HIS  State  is  fituated  between  40°  40'  and  45°  north  latitude,  and 
^  weft  and  i®  30'  eaft  longitude  from  Philadelphia,  Its  length  is 
idx)ut  three  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  and  its  breadth  about  three 
t^undred.  It  is  bounded  fouth-eaftwardly  by  the  Atlantic  ocean  ; 
^aft  by  the  States  of  Connefticut,  Maflachufetts,  and  Vermont;  nortK 
fcy  the  45th  degree  of  latitude,  which  divides  it  from  Canada ;  north- 
^cftwardly  by  the  river  Iroquois,  or  St.  Lawrence,  and  the  lakes  On- 
%aio  and  Erie;  fouth-weil  and  fouth  by  Pennfylvania  and  New* 
^crfcy. 

\  FACE  OF  THE  COUNTRY,  SEA  COAST,  &c. 

This  State,  to  fpeak  generally,  is  interfe6ted  by  ridges  of  moun* 
^ns  running  in  a  north-eaft  and  fouth-wcfl  diredtion.  Beyond  the 
(Allegany  mountains,  however,  the  country  is  a  dead  level,  of  a  fine 
lich  foil,  covered  in  its  natural  ftate  with  maple,  beech,  birch,  cherry, 
black  walnut,  locuf^,  hickory  and  fomc  mulberry  trees.  On  the 
bsnks  of  lake  Eric  are  a  few  chefnut  and  oak  ridges.  Hemlock 
IWamps  are  interfperfed  thinly  through  the  country.  All  the  creeks 
that  empty  into  lake  Erie  have  falls  which  afford  many  excellent 
mill-feats. 

The  lands  between  the  Seneca  and  Cayuga  lakes  arc  reprefented 
as  uncommonly  excellent,  being  mofV  agreeably  diverfified  wit-h  gen- 
tle rifings,  and  timbered  with  lofty  trees,  with  little  underwood. 
Tile  legiflature  of  this  State  have  granted  one  million  and  a  half  of 
acres  of  land  as  a  gratuity  to  the  officers  and  foldiers  of  the  line  of 
*^'^  State.  This  traft  is  bounded  weft  by  the  eaft  fhore  of  the  Se- 
"^^  lake,  and  the  MafTachufetts  lands  in  the  new  county  of  Ontario } 
''^'^  by  part  of  lake  Ontario  near  tort  Ofwego ;  fouth  by  a  ridge  of 
^  Allegany  mountains  and  the  Pennfylvania  li»c  j  andeall  by  thel  uf- 

caroro 


V 


oi.  II,  QL9 


298  GENERAL   DESCRIPTION 

caroro  Creek,  which  falls  nearly  into  the  middle  of  the  Oneida laVc, 
and  that  part  of  Montgomery  which  has  been  fettling  by  the  New-. 
Liigland  people  very  rapidly  lince  the  peace, 

Th'ii  pleaiant  country  is  divided  into  twenty- fi v^  townfliips of  fixty 
thouland  acres  each,  which  aic  again  fubdivided  into  one  hundred 
convenient  farms,  of  fix  hundred  acres,  making  in  the  whole  two 
tlioufand  five  hundred  farms. 

Eafl  of  the  Allegany  mountains  the  country  is  broken  into  hills 
with  riv:h  inrervening  vallics.     The  hills  are  clothed  thick  with  v\m 
ber,  and  when  cleared,    afford  a  very  fine  paflure :   the  vallies,' 
when  cuhivated,    produce  wheat,    hemp,    flax,    peas,   grafs,  pat^j 
and  Indian  corn.    The  rivers  in  this  State  are  numerous. 

Hudfon's   river  is  one  of  the  largeft  and   fincft  in  the  Uaitelj 
States  :  it  rifes  in  the  mountamous  country  between  the  lakes  Ontii 
fio  and  Champlain.    In  its  courfe  fouth-eailerly  it  approaches  withii 
^x  or  eight  miles  of  lake  George  5    then,  after  a  fhort  courfe  eat^j 
turns  foutherly  and  receives  the  Socondaga  fron^  the  fouth-w( 
which  heads  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Mohawk  river.    The  cour 
of  the  river  thence  to  New-York,  where  it  empties  into  York 
is  uniformly  fouth,  twelve  degrees,    or  fifteen  degrees  we(^. 
whole  length  is  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles ;  from  All 
to  lake  George  is  fixty-five  miles.    This  diftance,  the  river  is  naviij 
gable  only  for  batteaux,  and  has  two  portages^  occafioi^ed  by  ^^ 
half  a  mile  each. 

The  banks  of  Hudfon's  river,  efpecially  on  the  weftcm  fide,  9ik\ 
as  the  higriL nds  extend,  are  chiefly  rocky  cliffs.  The  paffage  tl 
the  highlands,  which  i^  fixteen  miled,  affords  a  \i^ild  romantic  fceoeil 
in  this  narrow  pafs,  on  each  fide  of  which  the  Biountains  tower  toM 
great  height,  the  wind,  if  there  be  any,  is  doUc6kedand  coopreffAl 
and  blows  cpptinually  as  through  a  bellows:  veffels,  in  paffioj 
through  it,  are  often  obliged  to  lower  their  fails.  The  bed  of  th» 
^iver,  whifh  is  deep  and  fmootbto  a&  aftonJflitng  diftmicc,  through  2 
hilly,  rocky  country,  and  even  through  ridges  of  fome  of  the  lugh^^ 
inountains  in  the  United  States,  mtift  undoubtedly  hdiye  been  pr^ 
duccd  b}' fome  n^ijghty  cQitvuifion  in  nature.  The  tide  flows  a  fe'' 
Inilesabow  Albany,  which  is  oiic  hundred  and  fixty  milte  from  Noi^ 
Yprk  2  it  i$  nayigaWe  for  floops  df  ctgbty  tons  to  Albany,  and.fc 
iliips  to  Hudion :  (hip navigation  toi  Albany  is  interruptedl^ya nifflC^ 
ber  of  iflands,  fix  or  eight  miles  bebw  the  city!,  calM;tl^  Ov^ 
Hatfghn    It  is  io  contempkitioa  to  confine  the  river  to  onc'ciBgiflld,  ^ 

1  /-.'.wlMC^ 


OF    NEW-YORK*  299 

^hich  means  the  channel  will  be  deepened,  and  the  difBcilty  of  ap-- 
•reaching  Albany  with  veflels  of  a  larger  fize  be  rcmov«d.  About 
xty  miles  above  New-York  the  water  becomes  frcfh.     The  river 

ftored  with  a  variety  of  fifli,    which  renders  a  fummer  paiTage 
>  Albany  delightful  and  amufing  to  thofe  who  are  fond  of  anglincr. 

The  advantages  of  this  river  for  carrying  on  the  for  trade  with 
Canada,  by  means  of  the  lakes,  have  been  already  mentioned:*  its 
Dnveniencies  for  internal  commerce  are  fingularly  great :  the  pro- 
uce  of  the  remoteft  farms  is  eafily  and  fpeedily  conveyed  to  a  certain 
od  profitable  market,  and  at  the  loweft  expenfe ;  in  this  refpedl", 
Jew- York  has  greatly  the  advantage  of  Philadelphia.  A  great  pro- 
ortion  of  the  produce  of  Pennfylvania  is  carried  to  market  in  wag- 
pns,  over  a  great  extent  of  country,  fome  of  which  is  rough ; 
lence  it  is  that  Philadelphia  is  crowded  with  waggons,  carts, 
orfes  and  their  drivers,  to  do  the  fame  bufinefs  that  is  done 
n  New-York,  where  all  the  produce  of  the  country  is  brought 
6  market  by  water,  with  much  left  Ihew  and  parade.  But  Philadel- 
)hia  has  other  advantages,  which  will  be  mentioned  in  their  proper 
>lace,  to  compenfate  for  this  natural  defeft.  The  increafing  popu« 
Ittion  of  the  fertile  lands  upK)n  the  northern  branches  of  the  Hudfon 
nuft  annually  increafe  the  amazing  wealth  that  is  conveyed  by  its  wa- 
fers to  New- York  :  added  to  this,  the  ground  has  been  marked  out, 
he  level  afcertained,  a  company  incorporated,  by  the  name  of  *'  The 
rrefident.  Directors,  and  Company  of  the  Northern  Inland  Lock 
Navigation,  in  the  State  of  New-York,"  and  funds  fubfcribed  for  the 
^rpofe  of  cutting  a  canal  from  the  neareft  approximating  point  of 
Hudfon's  river  to  South  bay,  which  empties  into  the  fouth  end  of 
bke  Champlain  :  the  diftance  is  eighteen  miles.  The  difference  of 
kvel  and  the  face  of  the  country  are  fuch,  as  to  juftify  a  belief  tliat 
^  opening  of  this  canal  will  not  be  lefs  practicable  than  ufeful. 

Saranac  river  pafle's  through  Plattlburg  into  lake  Champlain  :  it 
^as  been  explored  nearly  thirty  miles,  and  there  found  equal  in  fize 
•othe  mouth.  In  this  river  is  the  greateft  abundance  of  fiih^  fuch  as 
^''^on,  bafs,  pike,  pickerel,  trout,  &c. 

Sable  river,  not  far  from  the  Saranac,  is  fcarcely  fixty  yards  wide« 

^  ^his*  dream  are  remarkable  falls :  the  whole  defcent  of  the  water 

^^Put  t\Vo  hundred  feet  in  feveral  pitches,  the  greateft  of  which  is 

^y^  feet  perpendicular :  at  the  foot  of  it  the  water  is  unfathomable. 

!^$e  jiine  has  been  feen,  in  a  frelhet,  to  pitch  over  endwife,  and 

*  Page  i^x  »id  193,  vol.  2, 


300  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

remain  feyral  minutes  under  water.     The  dream  is  confined  bf 
high  rockf^n  either  fide,  a  fpace  of  forty  feet,  and  the  banks  at  tk 
falls  arei  at  lead,  as  many  feet  high.    In  a  frefhet  the  flood  wood  in- 
quently  lodges,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  water  rifes  to  full  banks,  aod 
then  burfls  away  its  obflrudiuns  with  a  mod  tremendous  crafhingi 
The  Big  andiittle  Chazy  rivers  are  in  the  townfliip  of  Champlain, 
which  borders  on  the  Canada  line ;  both  are  navigable  fome  miles, 
the  former  fix  or  feven,  affording  good  mill  feats — feveral  mills  arc 
already  ereded.    The  Bi  itiHi  have  a  pod,  and  maintain  a  fmall  ga^ 
rifon,  at  Point-au-fer  in  this  townfliip. 

The  river  Boquet  pafTes  through  the  town  of  Wilfborough,  in 
Clinton  county,  and  is  navigable  for  boats  about  two  miles,  and  is 
there  interrupted  by  falls,  on  which  are  mills.  At  this  place  aretbe 
remains  of  an  entrenchment  thrown  up  by  General  Burgoyne.  Here 
he  gave  his  famous  war  fead  to  his  "  numerous  hod  of  savages,? 
and  here,  probably,  he  fird  conceived  that  celebrated  proclamatioQ 
which  he  aftcrwaids  brought  forth. 

Black  river  rifes  in  the  high  country,  near  the  fources  of  Canada 
Creek,  which  falls  into  Mohawk  river,  and  takes  its  courfe  north- 
wed,  and  then  north-ead,  till  it  difcharges  itfelf  into  Cataraqua,  or 
Iroquois  river,  not  far  from  Swegauchee :  it  is  faid  to  be  navigable 
for  batteaux  up  to  the  lower  falls,  fixty  miles,  which  is  diHant 
from .  the  flourifliing  fettlerBent  of  Whitedown  twenty-five  mileSi 
The  whole  length  of  this  river  is  reckoned  at  one  hundred  and  tw^te 
miles. 

Onondago  river  rifes  in  the  Oneida  lake,  runs  wedwardly  iott 
lake  Ontario  at  Ofwego  :  it  is  navigable  for  boats  from  its  mouth  to  ' 
the  head  of  the  lake,  feventy-four  miles,  except  a  fell  which  occafion* 
a  portage  of  twenty  yards,  thence  batteaux  go  up  Wood  creek  almoft 
to  Fort  Stanwix,  forty  miles,  whence  there  is  a  portage  of  amilct*^ 
Mohawk  river.  Toward  the  head  waters  of  this  river  falmon  aT^ 
caught  in  great  quantities. 

Mohawk  river  rifes  to  the  northward  of  Fort  Stanwix,  about  cigl»- 
miles  from  Black  river,  and  runs  fouthwardly  twenty  miles  to  the  fort  j 
then  eadward,  one  hundred  and  ten  miles,  into  the  Hudfon.  Theprotsr 
duce  that  is  conveyed  down  this  river  is  landed  at  Skene£^ady,  and  i^ 
thence  carried  by  land  fixteen  miles,  over  a  barren  flinib  plain,  tCS 
Albany.  Except  a  portage  of  about  a  mile,  occafioned  by  the  litd^ 
falls,  fifty-fix  miles  above  Skene£lady,  the  river  is  paflTablc  for  bott^ 
from  Skene^lady  nearly  or  quite  to  its  fource.  The  pefpendicidtf^ 
defcent  of  thefe  falls  is  edimated  at  forty*twQ  feet  in  the  C9urieof  oo^ 

ffilei^ 


OF    NEW-YORK.  30£ 

Aile;  and  it  is  fuppofed,  they  might  be  locked  fo  as  to  bo  rendered 
paiTable  for  boats  carrying  five  tons^  for  about  fifteen  thoui'and 
pounds  currency.  The  Cohoez  in  this  river  are  a  great  curiofity  ; 
they  are  three  miles  from  its  entrance  into  the  Hudfon.  The  river  is 
about  one  hundred  yards  wide,  the  rock  over  which  it  pours  as  over  a  mill 

!  dam,  extends  almoft  in  a  line  from  one  fide  of  the  river  to  the  other, 
and  is  about  thirty  feet  perpendicular  height.  Including  the  defcent 
above,  the  fall  is  as  much  as  fixty  or  feventy  feet ;  the  rocks  be- 
low, in  fome  places,  are  worn  many  feet  deep  by  the  conflant  fiic- 

1     tion  of  the  water.     The  view  of  this  tremendous  cataraft  is  dimi- 

:\    fiilhed  by  the  height  of  the  banks  on  each  fide  of  the  river.     About 

J    a  mile  below  the  falls  the  river  branches  and  forms  a  large  ifland ; 

zs,   but  the  two  mouths  may  be  feen  at  the  fame  time  from  the  oppolite 
tank  of  the  Hudfon  :  the  branches  are  fordable  at  low  water,  but  arc 
dangerous.     A  company  by  the  name  of  "  The  Prefi dent,  Direifiors, 
-iUid  Company  of  the  Wcftcrn  Inland  Lock  Navigation,  in  tlie  State 
Qf  New-York/'  were  incorporated  by  the  legiflatu  re  of  New-York, 
in  March,   1792,  for  the  purpofe  of  o])ening  a  lock  navigation  from 
the  now  navigable  part  of  Hudibn's  river,    to  be  extended  to  lake 
Ontario,  and  to  the  Seneca  lake.     This  rout  has  been  furveyed  and 
found  pra^icable,  the  expenfe  efllmatcd,  and  the  funds  fubfcribed, 
and  the  work  is  to  be  executed  with  all  pofTible  difpatch.     The  open- 
»g  of  this  navigation  will  be  a  vaft  acquilition  to  the  commerce  of 
■  this  State.    A  fliore  of  at  lead  one  thoufand  miles  in  length  will. 
Mi  confequence  of  it,  be  waflied  by  boatable  waters,  exclufive  of  all 
the  great  lakes,  and  many  millions  of  acres  of  excellent  tillage  land, 
^pidly  fettling,   will  be  accommodated  with  water  communication 

:csjf    «r  conveying  their  produce  to  market. 

^         I^elaware  river  rifes  in  Lake  Utftayantho,  latitude  42°  25',  and 

^^s   its  courfc  fouth-weft,    until  it  croffes   into   Fennfylvania  in 

*^Jtu^e  4z<*  J  thence  fouthwardlj-,  dividing  New- York  from  Pena« 

v^^^nia,  until   it  ilrikes  the  north-weft  corner  of  New-Jerfey,    ia 

Mtitude  41°  2^' ;   and  then  pafles  off"  to  fea,  through  Delaware  bay, 

^'"^g  New-Jerfey  on  the  eaft  fide,  and  Pennfylvania  and  Delaware 

^^^uehanoah,  E.  Branch,  river  has  its  fourcc  in  lake  Otfego,  lati- 

,.    ^  42P  5s',  from  which  it  takes  a  (outh-wefl  courfe:  it  croffes  the 

which  divides  New- York  and  Pennfylvania  three  times,    the 

*tic  near  Tyoga  Point,  where  it  receives  Tyoga  river.  Batteaux 


line 


^   ^o  its  fource ;  thence  to  Mohawk  river  is  but  twenty  nules,  ca* 
*^  of  good  roads. 


301  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

Tyoga  rirer  rtfes  in  the  Allegany  mountains,  in  about  latitude^ 
^ns  eaftwardly  and  empties  into  the  Sufqueboniiah  at  Tyoga  Pb 
in  latitude  41^  57^  It  is  navigable  for  boats  about  fifty  miles. 
•  Seneca  river  rifes  in  the  Seneca  country,  and  runs  eailwardly) 
in  ks  pailage  receives  the  waters  of  the  Seneca  and  Ca3ruga  h 
vhtch  lie  north  and  fouth,  ten  or  twelve  miles  apart,  each  is  b€t\ 
thirty  and  forty  miles  in  length,  and  about  a  mile  in  breadth, 
empties  into  the  Onondago  river,  fourteen  miles  above  the  falls, 
place  called  Three  Rivers.  From  Three  River  point  to  Onon 
lake,  up  Seneca  river,  is  twelve  miles.  Within  half  a  mile  of 
lake  a  fait  fpring  iflues  from  the  ground,  the  water  of  which  is  i 
than  that  of  the  ocean :  it  conftantly  emits  water  in  fuiiicient  q 
tity  for  works  of  any  extent :  it  is  probable  the  whole  country  wi 
fiipplied  with  fait  from  this  fpring,  and  at  a  very  cheap  rate, 
fpring  is  the  property  of  the  State.  This  river  is  navigabU 
boats  from  the  lakes  downwards. 

,  Cheneflee  river  rifes  near  the  fource  of  the  Tyoga,  and 
northwardly  by  the  Cheneffee  caflle  and  Hats,  and  empties  into 
Ontario,  eighty  miles  eaft  of  Niagara  fort.  On  this  river  is  on 
of  large  falls,  not  far  from  its  jundion  with  lake  Ontario.  Th< 
habitants  improve  thefe  falls  to  good  purpofe,  by  the  eredtion  oft 
upon  them.    • 

The  north-eaft  branch  of  the  Allegany  river  heads  in  the  Allej 
moiintains,  near  thic  iburce  of  the  Tyoga,  and  runs  directly  weft  \ 
it  is  joined  by  a  larger  branch  from  the  fouthward,  which  rifes  i 
the  weft  branch  of  the  Sufquehannah :  their  junction  is  on  the  line 
twecn  Pennfylvania  and  New-York.  From  this  jundion  the  1 
purfues  a  north-weft  courle,  leaving  a  fegment  of  the  river  of  al 
fifty  miles  in  length,  in  the  State  of  New-York,  thence  it  procec< 
a  circuitous  fouth-weft  direction,  until  it  crolTes  into  Pennfylvs 
from  thence  to  its  entrance  into  the  Miffiffippi ;  it  has  already  I 
defcribed. 

,  There  are  few  fifh  in  the  rivers,  but  in  the  brooks  are  plent 
trout ;  and.  in  the  lakes,  yellow  perch,  fun-fifh,  falmon  trout, 
fifli,  and  a  variety  of  others. 

-  From  this  account  of  the  rivers,  it  is  eafy  to  conceive  the  ex 
lent  advantages  for  conveying  produce  to  market  from  every  par 
the  State. 

«  The  fettlements  already  made  in  this  State,  are  chiefly  upon 
Birrow  oblongs,  extending  from  the  city  of  New-Ywk,  eaft 

-    SOI 


OP    NEW-YORK.  303 

th«  The  one  eaft,  is  Long-Iiland,  which  is  (Hie  hundred  and 
y  miles  long,  narrow,  and  furrounded  by  the  fea.  The  one  cx» 
ling  north  is  about  forty  mile^  in  breadth,  and  bife^ed  by  the 
Jfon  ;  and  fuch  is  the  interfedion  of  the  whole  State  by  the 
iches  of  the  Hudion,  the  Delaware,  the  Suiqnehannah,  and  other 
rs  which  have  been  mentioned,  that  there  are  few  places  through* 
its  whole  extent,  that  are  more  than  fifteen  or  twenty  miles  from 
e  boatabie  or  navigable  flream. 

'ork  bay,  which  is  nine  miles  long  and  four  broad,  fpreads  t6 
fouthward  before  the  city  of  New- York.  It  is  formed  by  the 
Quence  of  the  Eaft  and  Hudfon's  rivers,  and  embofoms  leveral 
U  iflands,  of  which  Governor's  iiland.is  the  principal :  it  commu* 
tes  with  the  ocean  through  the  Narronvsy  between  Staten  and 
g-Iilands,  which  are  fcarcely  two  miles  wide.  The  pailage  up  t» 
^'-York  and  Sandy-Hook,  the  point  ot  land  that  extends  fartbeft 
•  the  fea,  is  fafe,  and  not  above  twenty  miles  in  length.  The 
iroon  navigation  is  between  the  eaft  and  weft  banks,  in  about 
nty-two  feet  water.  There  is  a  light-houfe  at  Sandy«Hook  on  a 
infula  from  the  Jerfey  (hore. 

outh  bay  lies  twelve  or  fifteen  miles  tiorth  of  the  northern  bend  ia 
dfon's  river :  at  its  north  end  it  receives  Wood  Creek  from  the 
th,  which  is  navigable  feveral  miles,  and  lined  with  fine  mea* 
^8 ;  ioon  after  it  mingles  its  waters^  with  £aft  bay,  which  flretches 
ward  into  Vermont.  At  the  junction  of  thefe  bays  commences 
ther  bay  or  lake,  from  half  a  mile  to  a  mile  wide,  whofe  banks  are 
•p  hills,  or  cliffs  of  rocks,  generally  inacceifible.     At  Ticonderoga 

bay  receives  the  waters  of  lake  George  from  the  fouth-weft, 
>ugh  a  l^rge  brook,  which  rolls  down  a  gentle  declivity,  at  the 

of  which  were  formerly  a  fet  of  faw  mills.    The  waters  <jf 
■  George  are  one  hundred  feet  higher  than  thole  of  the  bay. 
^neida  lake  lies  about  twenty  miles  weflrof  Fort  Stanwix,  and  ex** 
a  weftward  about  thirty  miles. 

lit  lake  is  fmail,  and  empties  into  Seneca  river  foon  after  its 
^ion  with  the  Onondago  river,  about  twelve  miles  from  Three 
^r  point.  This  lake  is  flrongly  impreg^ted  With  ialine  particles^ 
^li  circumflance  gave  rife  to  its  name.  The  Indians  make  their 
Srom  it. 

^ke  Otfego,  at  the  head  of  Sufquehannah  river,  is  abotit  nino 
ts  long  and  narrow,  perhaps  -not  more  than  a  mile  wide.    The 

Uai 


304  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

land  on  the  banks  of  this  lake  is  very  good,  and  the  cultivatioD  rf it 
eafy. 

Caniaderago  lake  is  nearly  as  large  as  lake  Otfego,  and  fix  mb 
weft  of  it.     A  ftreim,  by  the  name  of  Oaks  creek,  iffucs  ixm% 
and  falls  into  the  Sufquehannah  river,  about  ^ve  miles  below  Otfegf)* 
The  beft  checfe  in  the  State  of  New-York  is  faid  to  be  made  upoatht 
borders  of  'h:;  creek. 

Chatoqiie  lake  is  the  foiirce  of  Conawongo  river,  which  ctnptiei 
into  the  Allegany :  the  lower  end  of  it,  whence  tha  river  proceeds, 
is  in  latitude  42^  10';  fi<  m  thence  to  its  head  is  about  twenty-five 
miles.     From  the  north-weft  part  of  this  to  lake  Erie  is  nine  miles» 
and  was  once  a  communication  ufed  by  the  French. 

On  the  north  lide  of  the  mountains,  in  Orange  county,  is  a  very 
valuable  tra6\  called  xYit  Drs^jjned  Landsy  containing  about  forty  or 
fifty  thoufand  acres.  The  waters,  which  defcend  from  the  fur* 
rounding  hills,  being  but  llowly  dilcharged  by  the  river  iffuing  from 
it,  cover  thcfe  vaft  meadows  every  winter,  and  render  them  extremdf 
fertile;  but  they  expofe  t lie  inhabitants  in  the  vicinity  to  interrtit* 
tents.  The  Walkhill  river,  which  [wfTis  througli  this  extenfive  a»i 
fhihious  tra^,  and  empties  into  Hudfon's  river,  is  in  the  fpringfto- 
red  with  very  large  eels  in  great  plenty.  The  bottom  of  thisHvertf 
a  broken  rock;  and,  it  is  fuppofcd,  that  for  two  thoufand  pooiKtf 
the  channel  might  be  deepened  fo  as  to  let  off  all  the  waters  frotm  the 
meadows,  and  thereby  redeem  from  the  floods  a  large  trad  of  ricl| 
land,  for  grafs,  hemp,  and  Indian  corn, 

SOIL  AND  PRODUCTIONS. 

Be  fides  the  trees  already  mentioned,  there  are  in  various  parts  01 
this  State,  the  feveral  kinds  of  oak,  fuch  as  white,  red,  yelloWj 
black,  and  chefnut  oak ;  white,  yellow,  fpruce,  and  pitch  pinc«  3 
cedar,  fir-tree,  butternut,  afpin,  commonly  called  poplar,  whi^* 
wood,  which  in  Pennfylvania  is  called  poplar,-  and  in  England  tt** 
tulip  tree,  rock,  rnaple,  the  linden  tree,  which,  with  the  whit^ 
wood,  grows  on  the  low  rich  ground,  the  button  wood,  fliUib-cra^ 
berry,  the  fruit  of  which  hangs  in  clufters-  like  grapes-  as  lafg^  ^ 
feherries ;  this  flirub  too  grows  on  low  ground.  Bcfides  thefc  is  d** 
fumach,  which  bears  clufters  of  red  berries:  the  Indians. chcW tl»^ 
leaves  inifead  of  tobacco  ;  the  berries  are'ufed  in  djres.  Of  the  conf»* 
moditie£  produced  from  culture,  wheat  is  the  ftaple.  Of  tliisiardcJ^ 
in  wheat  and  flour,  equivalent  to  one  million  bufhels  aipe  yeaiiy  fsfi* 


OP    NEW- YORK.  305 

^  locfian  com  and  peas  are  likewife  ntiied  for  exportation ; 
y^%  oats,  barley,  &c.  for  home  confumption. 
'^^me  parts  of  the  State  large  dairies  are  kept,  which  fumlih  for 
iiarket,  butter  and  cheeie.  The  beft  lands  in  this  State  which 
^fe  that  lie  along  the  Mohawk  river,  and  north  of  it,  and  weft 
e  AUegany  mountains,  are  yet  moftly  in  a  ftate  of  nature,  but 
oft  rapidly  fettling. 

e^ounty  of  Clinton,  in  the  moft  northern  part  of  the  State,  on 
hamplain  and  lake  George,  lies  about  midway  between  Q^e- 
d  New-York,  and  from  two  hundred  and  thiny  to  two  hundred 
►rty  miles  from  each,  and  is  fettled  by  about  two  thoufand  in* 
Its.  A  great  proportion  of  the  lands  in  this  country  arc  of  an 
;nt  quality,  and  produce  in  abundance  the  various  kinds  of 
cultivated  in  other  parts  of  the  State.  The  inhabitants  manu- 
;  earthen  ware,  pot  and  pearl  aih,  in  large  quantities,  which 
Kport  to  New- York  or  Quebec.-r-Their  wool  is  of  a  better  qua- 
an  that  which  is  produced  in  more  fouthcm  climates  ;  their  beef 
>rk  is  fecond  to  none ;  and  the  price  of  i)all*fed  beef  in  Montreal,  . 
:  fixty  miles  from  Flattiburg,  is  fuch  as  to  encourage  the  far* 
o  drive  their  cattle  to  that  market.  Their  fbrefts  fupply  them 
"ugar  and  molafles,  as  every  family,  with  no  more  implements 
re  neeeflary  for  common  ufe,  can  make  a  fufficiency  for  ttt  own 
nption,  and  that  at  a  feafon  when  tiie  farmer  can  be  no  other«> 
mployed.  The  foil  is  well  adapted  to  the  culture  of  hemp, 
and  carriage  from  any  part  of  the  country,  in  tranfporting 
produce  to  New-York,  does  not  exceed  eighteen  miles.  The 
ng  place  at  Ticonderoga  is  one  mile  and  a  half ;  and  from 
^^eorge,  at  the  fouth  end  of  the  lake  of  the  fame  name,  to  Fort 
rd,  is  about  fourteen  miles ;  after  which  there  are  two  or  three 
obflnidions  by  falls,  which  are  about  to  be  removed  by  the 
etors  of  the  northern  canal.  From  this  country  to  Quebec  ai^ 
Uy  fent  large  rafts,  the  rapids  at  St.  John's  and  Chawblee.  being 
ly  interruption  in  the  navigation,  and  thofe  not  fo  great  but 
:  ibme  feafons,  bttteaux  with  iixty  buihels  of  fait  can  afcend 

At  fome  diftancc  from  the  fea,  fait  is  ibid  at  half  a  dollar  a 
• 
the  northern  and  unfettled  parts  of  the  State  are  plenty  of 

deer,  bears,  fonoe  beavers,  martins,  and  moft  other  inhabi- 
of  the  foi>eft,  except  wolves.  Ducks,  growfe,  pigeons,  and 
f  many  kinds,  and  particularly  falmonj  are  taken  in  great 
L.II»  Rr  abundance 


•fi 


Its 


F: 


306  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

abundance  in  different  partSy  and  efpedally:  in  the  county  of  ClintoDi  • 
At  the  mouth  of  Saranac  river,  which  falls  into  Champlsun,  tbefal- 
mon  are  found  m  fuch  plenty,  that  it  is  ufual  to  take  four  or  five 
hundred  in  a  day  with  fpears  and  fmall  fcoop  nets.  They  arc 
caught  from  May  till  November,  and  make  excellent  fsdted  provi* 
fions,  and  every  cottager,  by  fpending  an  hour  in  the  evening,  ma]f 
obtain  a  fufficieat  fupply  for  his  family. 

ROADS  AND  BRIDGES. 

The  roads  in  this  State  have  been  in  general  but  indifferently  attended 
to  till  within  the  two  or  three  laft  years.  The  legiflature,  convinced  of 
the  importance  of  attending  to  the  matter,  and  perhaps  ilimulated 
by  the  enterprizing  and  a6live  Pennfylvanians,  who  are  competitor! 
for  the  trade  of  the  weftern  country,  have  lately  granted  very  Jibcnl 
fums  towards  improving  thofe  roads  that  tiaverfe  the  mod  fettled 
parts  of  the  country,  and  opening  fiich  as  lead  into  the  wefteraaiid 
northern  parts  of  the  State,  uniting,  as  far  as  poSbie,  the  eflabliib' 
ments  on  the  Hudfon  river,  and  the  moft  populous  parts  of  the  io? 
tenor  country  by  the  nearefl  pradicable  difrances.  A  poft  regularly 
rides  from  Albany  to  the  Chencflce  river,  qnce  a  fortnight,  %ougil 
WhiteftovvD,  Geneva,  Canadaqua,  Cana\vai:gus,  and.Vrilliamfburglii 
on  the  Cheneflee  riv!er.  By  this  eftablifliment  a  fafe  and  dire^  'fl* 
veyance  is  opened  between  the  moft  interior  parts  of  the  United 
States  to  the  weft,  and  the  fevjeral  States  in  the  Union, 

A  grand  road  was  opened  through  Clinton  county,  which  bordet* 
upon  Canada,  in  the  year  1790,'  tinder  the  diredion  or  a  Mr.  Rogers^ 
of  Duchcls .county,  and:  after  him  called  Rogers*s  road.     This  roa» 
•idds  greatly  to. the  convenience  and  fafety  of  travelling  between 
the  State  of  New»York  and  Canada,  efpecially  in  the  winter,  wU^* 
paifing  the  lakes  oa  ice  is  often  dangc^cous,  and  alw^p  uncomi^'^ 
table,  .  .  - 

A  road  alfo.has  been- lately  cut  from:  Katt's^kill,  on  the  HodTi^^ 
weftwardly,  which  pafTos  near  Owafco.  lake.   .       ■ 

A  bridge,  called!  Stiat's  bridge,  two  hundrfed  and  .i^fty  ftet  lot^i 
find  of  a  fufficienc  width  to  admit  two.  carcuigets  ^breafl,  baslat^^ 
been  thrown  acrofs  Abram's  creek,  which  falls  into  the  Hudfon  riv^^ 
near  the  ci:y  of  Iliidibrr,  by  .which  iijcofiinmunication  with  tJ^ 
count:y,  in  a  new  diretfl^on,  isfopetied-fnonQiib*  city  of  ^udibo^'^'' 
a  diii  ncc  avedof  ftnir.or  five  miles  4iv,thc  nw«i  pbft  f oad&da  Nci** 
York  Lo  ^^Uuny.     :    j  >.::"      ■,:••—        '■  •  . 


•tf<ia 


ttkttjcook  bridge,  in  the  ton'n  of -that  name,  ten  miles  from  Lan* 
Qburghy  is  an  ingenious  (Inidture,  built  at  the  private  expenfe  of 
1  caterprifing  and  Itberal  gentlttnoian* .  It  coil  onethoufand  four 
nndred  pounds  cuirenc}'. 

The  iegidature  of  this  State  have  granted  three  thou^ind  ponndb 
» build  a  bridge  orcr  tiie  fprouts  of  Mohawk  river,  wheneyer  tbe 
im  of  one'  thoqfand  pounds  ihall  be  fubfcribed  and  paid.  Thi* 
'idge  will  be  one  of  the  longeft  in  America,  and  will  open  a  direft 
mmuuication  to  a  very  extenfive  country,  incrcafing  fail  in  po- 
dation,  in  the  .north^wcHem  parts  of  the  State. 

MEDICINAL  SPRINGS. 

The  moft  noted  fprings  in  this  State  arc  thofe  of  Saratoga :  they 
t  eight  or  nine  in  number,  fituated  in  the  margin  of  a  marfh^ 
rmed  by  a  branc|i  of  KayadaroiTora  creek,  about  twelve  miles  weft 
3m  the  confluence  of  Fifti  creek  and  Hudfon's  river.  They  are 
rrounded  by  a  rock  of  a  peculiar  kind,  formed  by  petrifadioni» 
ne  of  them,  however,  more  particularly  attrafts  the  attention  ;  it 
fes  above  the  fiirface  of  the  earth  five  or  fix  feet,  in  the  form  of  a 
)rramid.  The  aperture  in  the  top,  which  difcovers  the  water,  is 
erfedtly  cylindrical,  of  about  nine  inches  diameter.  In  this  the  wa* 
cr  is  about  twelve  inches  below  the  top,  except  at  the  time  of  it3 
wiual  diicharge,  which  is  commonly  in  the  beginning  of  fummcr. 
^t  all  times  it  appears  to  be  in  as  ;great  agitation  as  if  boiling  in  a 
wt,  although  it  is  extremely  cold,  The  fame  appearances  obtain  in 
be  other  fprings,  except  that  the  furrounding  rocks  are  of  different 
'gures,  and  the  water  flows  regularly  from  them. 

By  obfervation  and  experiment,  the  principal  impregnation  of  the 
"ater  is  found  to  be  a  foffile  acid,  which  is  predominant  in  the  tafte* 
■  is  alfo  flrongly  impregnated  with  a  faline  fubftance,  \Vhich  is  very 
'fcernible  in  the  talte  of  the  water,  and  in  the  tafte  and  fmcll  of  the 
'^rified  matter  about  it.     From  the  corrofive  and  diflTolving  nature 

^he  acid,  the  water  acquires  a  chalybeate  property,-  and  receives 
^  Jtscompofition  a  portion  of  calcareous  earth,  which,  when  fcpa- 
^^^  refembles  an  impure  magnefia.  As  the  different  fprings  have 
^Hcntial  variance  in  the  nature  of  their  waters,  but  the  proportions 
'*^^  chalybeate  impregiration,  it  is  rendered  probable  that  they  arc 
*^^d  from  one  common  fource,  but  flow  in  feparate  channels^ 
^^c  they  have  connexion  with  metallic  bodies  in  greater  or  lefs 
*lH)nions.    The  ftomachs  of  fome  fen^ales,  however,  are  fo  deli- 

R  r  ft  cate. 


joS  geKkral  description 

cate,  as  to  perceive  a  difference  in  the  effed  and  operation  tf4ie 
different  fpringi • 

The  prodigious  quantity  of  air  contained  in  this  water  makes  mo* 
ther  diftinguifliing  property  of  it.    This  air,  ibriving  for  enlarge 
inent,  produces  the  fermentation  and  violent  adion  of  the  water  be- 
fore defcribed.    After  the  water  has  flood  a  fmall  time  ia  an  opci 
vefTel,  for  no  tight  one  wili  contain  it,  the  air  efcapes,  the  water  be 
comes  vapid,  and  (ofes  all  that  life  and  pungency  which  diftinguiihes 
it  when  firft  taken  from  the  pool.  The  particles  of  diifolved  earth  an 
depoiited  as  the  water  Hows  off,    which,  with  the  combinatioa  i\ 
the  falts  and  fixed  air,   concrete  and  form  the  rocks  about  tbe| 
fprings. 

As  to  the  quality  of  thcfe  medicinal  fprings,  to  mofl  people  whtfj 
drink  the  waters,  they  arc  at  firft  very  diiagreeable,  having  a  inx%\ 
brackifii,  briny  tafie ;  but  ufe  in  a  great  meafure  takes  off  the  nan^j 
oufneis,  and  renders  them  palatable,  and  to  many  very  gratefiiL 
Upon  a  few  they  operate  as  an  emetic ;  upon  mofi:  as  cathartic  i 
diuretic.  They  may  be  taken  in  very  large  quantities  without  fen- 
iible  injury,  or  difagreeable  operation. 

The  following  curious  experiments  made  on  thefe  waters,  are  ex« 
traded  from  Dr.  Mitchell's  Journal : 

^  A  young  turkey  held  a  few  inches  above  the  water  in  the  crater 
of  the^ower  fpring,  was  thrown  mto  convulfions  in  lefs  than  halft 
minute,  and  gafping,  (hewed  figns  of  approaching  death ;  but  OQ 
removal  from  that  place,  and  expofure  to  the  freih  air,  revived  aol 
becan^e  lively.  On  immerfion  again  for  a  minute  in  the  gas,  thebii^ 
was  taken  out  languid  and  mocionlefs. 

'*  A  fmall  dog  put  into  the  fame  cavity,  and  made  to  breathe  tbe 
contained  air,  was,  in  lefs  than  one  minute,  thrown  into  convuK^ 
motions,  made  to  pant  for  breath,  and,  laftly^  to  lofe  entirely  tbs 
power  to  cry  or  move ;  when  taken  out,  he  was  too  weak  to  fUo^ 
but  foon,  in  the  common  air,  acquired  ftrength  enough  to  rile  sQ^ 
dagger  away. 

^*  A  trout  recently  caught,  and  brifkly  fwimming  in  a  paiV  of  broot 
water,  was  carefully  put  into  a  veftel  juft  filled  f^m  the  fpring,  th» 
fifh  was  inflantly  agitated  with  violent  convulfions,  gradually  loft  tli^ 
capacity  to  move  and  poife  itfelf^  gfew  ftupid  and  infeniiblei  aodiA 
a  few  minutes  was  dead^ 

*«Aw<fl^ 


OF    NEIMT-YORK.  |aj[ 

*  A  taodi^  repeatedly  lightedy  ^d  let  down  near  the  fuifuie.  of  ihe 
:er,  was  fuddenly  et^fctinguiihedi  apd  not  a  veftige  of  li^ht  or  fire 
lained  on  the  wick. 

*  A  bottle  filed  with  the  wat<r  and  (haken,  emits  fuddenly  a  large 
intiiy  of  aerial  matier,  that  either  forces  out  the  cork,  or  makes  a 
f  befide  or  through  it,  or  burfts  the  veiTel.  :  • 
^  A  quantity  of  wheaten  flour  moifkened  with  this  water,  an4 
:aded  into  doughy  when  made  into  cakes  and  put  int#  a  baking 
I,  rofe,  during  the  application  of  heat,  into  a  light  and  fpoi^ 
ad,  without  the  aid  of  yeaft  or  leaven  :  from  which  it  appears, 
t  the  air  extrkat^^d  from  the  water  is  precifely  fimilar  to  that  pro- 
red  by  ordinary  fermentation. 

'^  Some  lime  water,  made  of  fiala&ites  brought  from  the  fubterra* 
m  cave  at  Rhynebec,  -became  immediately  turbid  on  mixture  with 
t  fpring  water,  but  when  the  water  had  been  lately  drawn,  the  pre* 
>itate  was  quickly  re-diifolved. 

*'  Some  of  the  rock  furrounding  the  fpring,  on  being  put  into  the 
e,  calcined  to  quick-lime  and  flaked  very  well. 
*'  When  the  the  aerial  matter  has  evaporated,  the  water  lofes  its 
anfparency,  and  lets  fall  a  calcareous  fediment:  whence  it  is 
rident  that  the  gas  is  aerial  acid,  that  the  rock  is  limeftone,  and 
lat  by  means  of  the  former,  the  water  becomes  capable  of  dif* 
living  and  conveying  the  latter." 

Great  numbers  of  people,  under  a  variety  of  maladies,  refort  to 
lefe  fprings,  and  many  find  relief,  and  a  confiderable'number  a  cotm- 
lete  cure,  particularly  in  bilious  diforders,  fait  rheum,  and  relaxa- 
ons.  But  as  the  waters  are  unfriendly  and  even  fatal  in  fome  dif* 
i^ers,  they  ought  to  be  ufed'  under  the  direction  of  a  phyfician 
lofoughly  acquainted  with  the  qualities  of  the  waters,  and  the  dif- 
ifes  of  the  patient.  Ignorant  of  the  fuitablenefs  of  the  waters  to 
?ir  complaints,  many  have  imprudently  thrown  away  their  lives  in 
s  iife  of  them. 

^ew-Lcbanon  fprings  are  next  in  celebrity  to  thofe  of  Saratoga. 
-vv-Lebanon  is  a  pleafant  village,  fltuated  partly  in  a  vale,  and 
^iy  on  the  declivity  of  hills.  The  pool  is  fituated  oh  acom- 
^ding  cmiqence,  overlooking  the' valley,  and  furrounded  with  a 
^  houfes,  which  afford  but  indifferent  accommodations  for  the  va* 
^dinarianji  who  refort  here  in  fearch  of  health.  The  waters  have 
Agreeable  temperature,  and  are  not  unpleafant  to  the  tafle.    From 

*  c^cperipaentsojf  Dr,  Mitchell  ^t  appears,  th^t  the  water  contains  no 

iron. 


9I«  GEN£RA^   DSSCRIIPTIOK 

ftroDy  n^  feme,  no  ftetttval  fait,  no  fixed  air,  no«t!kei;«cifl  i  iJxhf 
tattei  v<^  weH  with  the  water,  mak^  ugpod  lattori  ttid  is  ticdk- 
lent  for  bleaching  cloths ;  that  the  fpring  -ie  a  Tinrniti  mAlst^ 
jfleDtyof'Kme^ftone  in  its  neigblnMiPhMd.  Its  warmtk is fo confide- 
irable,  ^at  daring  the  coolftot»  of  thb  mo^irtgv*  ^^^  ^  Angjnft,  co- 
pious vapours  are  emitted  bjr  t^  ^o«4,  and  the  ftream  which  iflttd 
from  it,  f<»r  a  confiderable  4Mattcd  i  -but  the  evaporiCfed  matter  Im 
HO  peculiar  odour.  From  all  whidi  particulars  taken  together,  A 
tue^ry  raikmaliy  refults;  a  quantity  of  iron  and  fMrifttftone,  foM4» 
M^bere  within  the  mountain,  are,  by  reafon  of  their  themicat  afiftit]^ 
in  the  a£t  of  combining  into  msfrtiai  pyrittf.  Dutlng'  their  Ciftidl 
upon  each  other,  heat  is  produced^  and  pure  atr  !$•  abforbed.  Tfe 
"Water  running  in  the  neighbourhood  of  this  bed  of  pyrites;  borrt>wi 
lenne  of  ite  heat,  and  receives  alfo  that  pait  of  the  atmdfpiiehc  fluid 
which  remains  after  the  confumption  of  the  pure  air,  i.  e.  fiul,  or 
azotic  gas*  But  as  the  heat  is  excited  in  the  bowels  of  a  cafcareooi 
mountain,  it  happens,  that  by  the  combination  of  the  iimefiontwitbt 
very  fmall  portion  of  the  fftlfhnr^  m  •calcareous  hepar  is  formed^  whicfc 
-flymg  off  in  the  form  of  hepatic  gas^  gives  an  exceedingly  flight  tinc- 
ture to  the  water  of  the  pool.  Thefe  waters  are  ufed  with  fucce^  it 
4t  faid,  in  fcorbutic  and  rheumatic  difeafee,  fait  rheums,  &c.  but  m 
pernicious  to  confumptive  perfons. 

In  the  new  town  of  Renflallaer,  nearly  oppofite  to  the  city  ef  JU* 
bany,  a  medicinal  fpring  has  lately  been  difcovered,  ccNSibining-niot 
of  the  valuable  properties  of  the  celebrated  waters  of  Saratoga* 
^ould  further  experiments  confirm  the  favourable  opinion  alreadf 
entertained  of  this  fpring,  it  will  prove  a  fortunate  difcovery  fortik* 
city  of  Albany,   and  for  the  country  adjoining,  as  well  as -for  thc'tf^ 
valids  who  annually  refort  to  Saratoga,  under  many  inconvenienci^ 
and  at  a  great  expenfe. 

The  fait  iprings  we  have  already  mentioned.  The  weight  of* 
bufliel  of  the  fait  made  of  thefe  waters  is  fifty-fix  pounds,  and  is  eqi*^ 
ingoodnefs  to  that  imported  from  Turks  ifland* 

This  State -embofoms  vaft  quantities  of  iron  ore.  Naturalifb  o'^ 
ferve  that  ore,  in  fwamps  and  pondy  ground,  vegetates  and  ***' 
crcafes.  There  is  a  filver  mine  at  Philipfburgh,  which,  prodoc^ 
virgin  filver.  Lead  is  found  in  Herkemer  county,  and  fulphur  *^ 
Montgomery.  Spar,  zink,  or  fpelter,  a  femi-metil,  magncz,  u** 
in  glazings,  pyrites  of  a  golden  hue,  various  kinds  of  copper  otf^ 
and  lead  and  coal  n»neS|  are  found  in  this  Statet    Alfo  ptfriSe^ 


V  -      OF    NKW^YDRK.  3II 

ivbod,  leafier  of  Pans^'  ifinglaf^riii  iheets,  tak  and  cryftals  of  varioos 
kinds  and  colours,  flint,  aibcdOSy  and  feveral  other  fbffiis.  A  (hiaU 
bigck  ftone  haa  alfo  been  found,  vrhich  vitrifies  with  a  finall  liett^ 
audi  it  is  iktd^  makes  excellent  g^afs* 

.       I  S  L  A  N  D  $• 

•  » 

:  There  are  three  iflandis  of.  note  belonging,  to  this  State,  viz.  York* 
[flaad,  which  will  be  Jbereafterdefcribed,*  Long-Ifiand  and  Stateo*' 
Band. 

-  Long-Iiland  extends  one  hundred  and  forty  miles,  and  tertniaatei 
(irith  Montauk  point.  It  is  not  more  than  ten  miles  in  breadth  9n  t 
toedium,  and  is  i'eparated  from  Connecticut  by  LAng-Iiland  found. 
The  <  ifland  is  divided  into  three  counties ;  King's,  Qscen'l  ^sA 
teffolk. 

King's  county  lies  at  the  weft  end  of  Long-lfland,  oppofite  New^ 
fork,  and  is  not  above  ten  miles  long  and  eight  broad ;  the  inhabt» 
ants  are  principally  Dutch  and  live  well  5  it  contains  a  number  of 
Aeafant  villages,  of  which  Flatbulh,  Brooklyn  and  Bedfoid^  are  the 
Mincipal. 

Qiieen's  county  lies  next  to  King's  as  you  proceed  eaflward  ;  it  is 
ibout  thirty  miles  long  and  twelve  broad.  Jamaica,  Newtown^ 
Hampftead,  in  which  is  a  handfome  court-houfe,  and  Oyfter-bay,  arfei 
ffie  principal  villages  in  this  county. 

>  Sulfolk  county  is  about  one  hundred  miles  long  and  ten  broad,  and 
<^(nprehends  all  th^  eaftern  part  of  the  illand  and  feveral  little  iflaacb 
adjoining,  viz.  Shelter  ifland,  Fifher's  ifland,  Pluni  ifland^  and  the 
Bl^  of  Wight.  Itis  principal  towns  are  Huntington,  Southampton^ 
^ithtown,  Brook-Haven,  Eaft-Harapton,  in  which  is  the  academy-, 
Southhold  and  Bridge-Hampton.    ■ 

The  fouth  fide  of  tho  ifland  is  fiat  land,  of  a  light  &ndy  foil,  bei> 
^ed  on  the  fea  coaft  with  large  tra^s  of  fait  meadow,  extending 
^^  the  weft  point'  of  the  iiland  to  Southampton ;  this  foil,  how^ 
^^^>  is  weft  calculated  for  raifing  grain,  efpeciaily  Indian  Corn.  Tho 
^''^h  fide  of  the  ifland- is  hilly  and  of  a  ftrong  fotl,  adapted  to  the 
^*ture  of  grain,  hay,  and  fruit.  A  ridge  of  hills. ektcnJds  from  Ja- 
*^ca  to  Southhdidi  *  LiaVge  herds*  of  cattle  feed  upon  Hampflead 
*^'^>  and  on  the  fal!  marflle^  ujwri  thdfouth  fide  of  the  iflaiuL 
^ampftead  plain,  in  Queen**  county,  is  a  curiofity ;  it  is  fi'xteen 
^^a  in  length,  eaft  and  weft,  and  feven  or  eight  miles *wide;  tbfc 
^   is  -black,  and  to  appearance  rich,  a:6id  yet  it -was  never  ktlown  t|> 

have 

*  Pc^e  3x8. 


312  GENERAL   DESCRIPTIOIT 

hsre  any  natural  growth,  except  a  kind  of  wild  graft  and  a  fevftnk 
It  is  frequented  by  vaft  numbera  of  plover.    Hyc  grows  tolerifahf 
wtU  on  fome  parts  of  the  plain.    The  moft  of  it  lies  common  tt 
cattle,  horfes,  and  iheep.    As  there  is  nothing  to  impede  the  pral 
pe6^  in  the  whole  length  of  this  plain,  it  has  a  curious  but 
cffeA  upon  the  eye,  not  unlike  that  of  the  ocean. 
•    Eaft  of  this  pbio,  on  the  middle  of  the  ifland,  is  eoropanrirdy'*^ 
•barren  heath,  overgrown  with  (hrub  oaks  and  pines,  amongft  wl 
it  is  fuppofed  there  are  feveral  thoufand  deer.    It  is  frequented 
by «  great  number  of  growfe,  a  very  delicious  bird.    Laws  ha^ 
been  pafled  for  the  pre(ervation  of  thefe  birds  and  the  deer. 

It  is  remarkable,  that  on  Montauk  point,  at  the  eaft  end  of  t^^^ 
ifland,  there  are  no  flies.    Between  this  point  and  £aft-Hampi 
is  a  beach  three  quarters  of  a  mile  wide,  in  the  center  of  which 
found,  about  fifty  years  ago,  under  a  fand  hill  which  was  blown  ^'^ 
by  the  wind,  the  entire  (keleton  of  a  large  whale,  nearly  half  a 
from  the  water. 

There  are  very  few  rivers  upon  the  ifland  ;  the  largeft  is  Pi 
nock,  which  rifes  about  ten  miles  weft  of  a  place  called  River-b 
where  the  court-houfe  flands,  and  runs  eaflerly  into  a  large  bay 
vidtng  Southhold  from  Southampton ;  in  this  bay  are  Robin 
Shelter  iflands. 

The  fouth  fide  of  the  ifland  is  indented  with  numerous  ftreams 
various  fizes,  which  fall  into  a  large  bay  two  or  three  miles  ovOf 
finned  by  a  beach  about  eighty  rods  wide,  which  appears  like  a  bat^ 
der  to  the  ifland,  extending  from  the  wefl  end  of  it  to  Southampton. 
Through  this  beach,  in  various  places,  are  inlets  of  fuch  depths 
ro  admit  of  veflels  of  fixty  or  feventy  tons.  This  bay  was  former^ 
frefh  water.  Oyfters,  clams  and  fifh  of  various  kinds,  are  cmglit 
with  eafe,  and  in  great  plenty  in  this  bay,  with  feines,  during  the 
winter  feafon«  It  is  not  uncommon  to  fee  forty  or  fifty  veflels  heft 
loading  with  oyfters  at  the  (ame  time.  And  what  is  ahnoft  iaa^ 
dible,  but  Supported  by  the  teftimony  of  perfons  of  veracity,  wdl 
informed  as  to  the  matter,  thirty  waggon  loads  of  bafs  have  beeo 
caught  in  this  bay  at  one  draught. 

Rockonkama  pond  lies  about  the  center  of  the  ifland,  between 
Smithtown  and  Iflip^  and  is  about  a  mile  in  circumference;  tU^ 
pond  has  been  found  by  obfervation  to  rife  gradually  fbrfeverd 
year^  until  arrived  to  a  certain  height,  and  then  to  fall  more  nf 
pidly  X9  its  lovreft  bed,  and  thus  it  is  continually  ebbing  and  flov- 

4  'nr 


of    NEW-YORK.  313 

fj".  The  caiife  of  this  curious  phenomenon  has  never  been  invcf- 
^ated.  Two  miles  to  the  foiithward  of  this  pond  is  a  confiderable 
ream,  called. Connecticut  river,  which  empties  into  the  bay. 
There  are  two  whale  fiflieries,  one  from  Sagg  harbour,  which 
'oduces  about  one  thoufand  barrels  of  oil  annually ;  the  other  is  much 
laller,  and  is  carried  on  by  the  inhabitants  in  the  winter  feafon  from 
e  fouth  fide  of  the  iiland.  .  They  commonly  catch  from  three  to 
iren  whales  in  a  feafon,  which  produce  from  twenty-five  to  forty 
rrels  each,  of  oil.  This  fifliery  was  formerly  a*  fource  of  con- 
lerable  wealth  to  the  inhabitants,  but  through  a  fcarcity  of  whales 
has  greatly  declined  of  late  years. 

There  is  a  con  fide  rablc  trade  carried  on  from  Sagg  harbour, 
nence  is  exported  to  the  Weft-Indies  and  other  places,  whale  oil, 
tch-pine  boards,  horfes,  cattle,  flax  feed,  beef,  &c.     The  produce 

the  middle  and  weftern  parts  of  the  ifland  is  carried  to  New- 
ork.  This  ifland  contains  more  than  thirty-fcven  thoufand  inhabi- 
nts. 

Staten  ifland  lies  nine  miles  fouth-wefl  of  the  city  of  New- York, 
id  forms  Richmond  county :  it  is  about  eighteen  miles  in  length, 
nd,  at  a  medium,  fix  or  feven  in  breadth,  and  contains  three  thou- 
ind  eight  hundred  and  thirty-five  inhabitants.     On  the  fouth  fide  is 

confiderable  tra<^  of  level,  good  land,  but  the  ifland  iu  general  is 
bugh  and  the  hills  high.  Richmond  is  the  only  town  of  any  note 
m.  the  ifland,  and  that  is  a  poor  inconfiderable  place.  The  inha- 
)itants  are  principally  defendants  of  the  Dutch  and  French. 

CIVIL    DIVISIONS, 

This  State  is  divided  into  nineteen  counties,  viz.  New-York, 
Albany,  Suffolk,  Queen*s,  King's,  Richmond,  Wefl-Chefter,  Orange, 
tJlfler,  Duchefs,  Columbia,  RanfTellaer,  Wafliington,  Clinton,  Mont- 
gomery, Ontario,  Herkemer,  Otfego,  and  Tyoga,  which,  by  an  adt  of 
^e  legilJature,  palTed  iu  March,  1788,  were  fubdivided  into  townfhips. 

The  three  la{t-n>entioned  counties  have  been  feparated  from 
^°ntgonK*ry  firice  the  cenfus,  and  have  acquired  the  greater  part  of 
"^ir  inhabitants  fubfequent  to  that  period,  moft  of  whoin  emigrated 
^'^  the  New-England  States.  The  county  of  Herkemer  is  com- 
*^^d  of  the  towns  of  German  Flats,  Herkemer,  and  Whiteftown, 
^Vch,  in  170^,  was  divided  into  fcveral  other  towns,  and  contained 
'     1790,  according  to  the  ceufus,  four  thoufand  feven  hundred  and 

Vol.  IK  S  f  twenty- 


5^4  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

twenty-three  inhabitants;  fince  which  this  number  has  been  increay 
to  upwards  of  fourteen  thoufand. 

The  townfli'ps,  into  which  the  counties  are  divided,  are  corpora- 
tions invcfttd  wiih  certain  privileges.     The  a<9:  dire6^s,   that  the 
freeholders  in  the  feveral  townships  (hall  alTemble  in  town  meetings,    . 
on  the  firll  Tuelday  in  April  annually,  and  chufc  their  town  officers, 
viz.  one  lupervii'or,  one  town  clerk,  from  three  to  feven  affeflbn, 
one  or  more  collertors,  two  overfeers  of  the  poor,  commiffioncrs  of 
highways,  conilables,  fence -viewers,  pound-mafters,  &c.  thefe  arc 
to  hold  their  refpcdive  offices  one  year,  or  until  others  be  chofeo. 
This  adl,  which  aj>pears  to  have  originated  from  a  fpirit  of  pure  re- 
publicanifni,  came  in  force  the  firft  day  of  April,  1789,    It  has  a 
happy  tendency  to  dilTeminate  through  the  State  fuch  inforaiation 
and  fuch  principles  as  are  calculated  to  cherifh  the  fpirit  of  freedom, 
and  to  fiipport  the  republican  government.     The  frequent  collc^ioji 
of  people  in  town  meetings  makes  them  acquainted  with  each  other, 
and  afiimilates  their  ideas  and  their  manners :  their  being  inveded 
with  power  makes  them  feel  their  importance,  and  roufes  their  am*  ■;*. 
bition;  their  town  meetings  will  be  a  fchool,  in  which  all  the  free 
citizens  of  the  State  may  learn  how  to  tranfaft  bulinefs  with  pro- 
priety, and  in  which  they  may  qualify  themfelves  for  the  higher  of- 
fices of  the  State ;  the  number  of  public  offices  will  be  incrcafedj 
without  incrcafing  tlie  expenfes  of  the  State ;  and  the  delire  of  pro* 
motion  is  innate  in  human  nature,  and  as  ambition  to  pofTefs  the  tc« 
quiiite  qualifications  cominonly  accompanies  thi5  defire,  the  proba- 
bility is,  that  the  number  of  pcrfons  qualified  for  public  offices  ^^^^ 
be  increafed,  and  of  courfc  the  number  of  good  citizens  prop^^' 
tionably  multiplied,   and  the  fubordinate  civil  affairs  of  the'  S^^'* 
more  faithfully  and  more  regularly  tranfadted^ 

CHIEF     TOWNS. 

There   are    three  incorporated  cities  in  tTiis  State;    New-V^^^ 
Albany  and  Hudfon. 

NEW-YORK 

« 

Is  the  capital  of  the  State,  and  flands  on  the  fouth-weft  poi  «^  " 
Manhattan,  commonly  called  Nevt-York  illand,  at  the  conflueo< 
the  Hudfon  and  Plaft  rivers.     The  principal  part  of  tlie  city  lies 
the  eaft  fide  of  the  ifland,  although  the  buildings  extend  t'rotv 
river  to  the  other.     The  length  of  the  city  on  Eaft  river  is  »^ 


OF    NEW-YORK^  315 

o  miles,  but  falls  much  fliort  of  that  difbnce  on  the  banks  of  the 
jdfon.  .  Its  breadth,  on  an  average,  is  nearly  three-fourths  of  ^ 
le,  and  its  circumference  may  be  four  miles*  The  plan  of  the 
y  is  not  perfectly  regulnr,  but  is  laid  out  with  reference  to  the 
aation  of  the  ground.  The  ground  which  was  unoccupied  before 
;  peace  of  1783,  was  laid  out  in  parallel  ftrcets  of  convenient 
dth,  which  has  had  a  good  cffedl  upon  the  parts  of  the  city  lately 
ilt.  The  principal  llrects  run  nearly  parallel  with  the  rivers  ; 
:fe  are  interfered,  though  not  at  right  angles,  by  ftreets  running 
)m  river  to  river.  In  the  v.  id.h  ot  the  ftreets  there  is  a  great  di- 
rfity.  Water-ftreet  and  Tcarl-ftrect,  {^ci-dcvant  Queen-ftreet)  which 
:upy  the  banks  of  Laft  river,  are  very  conveniently  fituated  for 
finefs,  but  they  a're  low  and  too  narrow,  not  admitting,  in  fome 
ices,  of  walks  on  the  lid^s  for  foot  paliengers,  Broad-ilreer,  ex- 
iding  from  the  Exchange  to  City -hall,  is  fufhciently  wide;  this  was 
ginaily  built  ori  each  fide  of  the  creek,  which  penetrated  almoil 
the  City-nail ;  this  ftreet  is  low  but  pleafant.  But  the  moft  con- 
nient  and  agreeable  part  of  the  city  is  the  Broadway ;  it  begins 
a  point  which  is  formed  by  the  junction  of  the  Hudfon  and  Eaft 
'^ers,  occupies  the  height  of  land  between  them  upon  a  true  meri- 
3nal  line,  rifes  gently  to  the  northward,  is  near  feventy  feet  wide, 
orned,  v/hcre  the  fort  formerly  flood,  (which  has  been  lately 
•'cUed)  with  an  elegant  brick  edifice  for  the  accommodation  of 
-  governor  of  the  State,  and  a  public  walk  from  the  extremity  of 
•  point,  occupying  the  ground  of  the  lower  battery,  which  is  now 
^olifiied;  alfo  with  two  epifcopal '  churches,  and  a  number  of 
?;ant  private  buildings.  It  terminates,  to  the  northward,  in  a 
regular  area,  fronting  the  bridewell  and  alms-houfe, .  and  com- 
"^ds  from  any  point,  a  view  of  the  bay  and  narrows, 
'^Hce  the  year  1788,  that  part  of  the  city  which  was  buried  in 
's  during  the  war  has  been  rapidly  rebuilding;  the  ftreets  widened, 
^^ned,  raifed  in  the  middle  under  an  angle  fufficient  to  carry  off 
V'ater  to  the  fide  gutters,  and  foot-ways  of  brick  made  on  each 
At  this  time,  the  part  that  was  deiiroyed  by  fire  is  aknoft 
^lly  covered  witli  elegant  brick  houfes, 

Vall-ftreet  is  generally  fifty  feet  wide  and  elevated,  and  the  build- 
i  elegant.  Hanover-fquare  and  Dock-ftrect  arc  conveniently  fitu- 
^  for  bufinefs,  and  the  houfes  well  built.  WUliam-ftreet  is  alfo 
^*Ated  and  convenient,  and  is  the  principal  market  for  retailing  dry 

^iz  goods. 


1 


..  . 


^7 


3l6  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

goods.     Many  of  the  other  flreets  are  pleafant,  but  moft  of  themaro 
irregular  and  narrow. 

The  houfcs  are  generally  built  of  brick  and  the  roofs  tiled ;  there 
are  remaining  a  few  houfes  built  after  the  old  Dutch  manner,  but 
the  Englifh  tafte  has  prevailed  almoft  a  century. 

Upon  the  fouth-weft  point  of  the  land  a  fort  with  four  baftiow 
formerly  flood,  and  alfo  a  battery  below.  The  area  of  the  fort  con- 
tained an  elegant  hoyfe  tor  the  accommodation  of  the  royal  govcr-. 
nors,  znd  was  confumed  by  fire  in  Governor  Tryon's  time.  This 
fort  and  battery  were  removed  in  the  year  1791. 

The  mofl  magnificent  edifice  in  this  city  is  Federal-hall,  fituated 
at  the  head  of  Broad-ftreet,  where  its  front  appears  to  great  advan-* 
tage  ;  the  bafement  flory  is  Tufcan,  and  is  pierced  with  feven  open- 
ings ;  four  mafTy  pillars  in  the  center  fupport  four  Doric  columm 
and  a  pediment.  The  freeze  is  ingenioufly  divided,  to  admit 
thirteen  flars  in  metopes ;  th^fe,  with  the  American  Eagle,  and 
other  infignia  in  the  pediment,  and  the  tablets  over  the  windows, 
filLd  with  the  thirteen  arrows  and  the  olive-branch  united,  mark  it 
as  a  building  defignated  for  national  purpofes.  After  entering  fix)n^ 
the  Broad-flreet,  we  find  a  plainly- finifhed  fquare  room  flagged  with 
ftone,  and  to  which  the  citizens  have  free  accefs ;  from  this  we  enter 
the  vellibule  in  the  center  of  the  pile,  which  leads  in  front  to  the 
floor  of  the  reprefentatives  room,  or  real  Federal^hall,  an<i  through 
two  arches  on  each  fide  by  a  public  flair-cafe  on  the  left:,  and  by  4 
private  one  on  the  right  to  the  fenate-chamber  and  lobbies,  l^ 

This  vcflibule  is  paved  with  marble — is  very  lofty  and  well-finifli-  l«t 
cd ;  the  lower  part  is  of  a  light  niftic,  which  fupports  a  haDd%  mk 
■bn\c  iron  gallery;  the  \ipper  half  is  in  a  lighter  flyle,  and- is  finiihcdR 
with  a  Iky-light  of  about  twelve  by  eighteen  feet,  which  is  decorated  w 
Willi  a  profufion  of  ornament  in  the  richefl  tafle.  The  reprefenta- 
tives room  is  a  fpacioua  and  elegant  apartment  fixtyonc  feet  dccpi 
r.m -eight  wide,  and  thirty-fix  high,  a  coved  ceiling  of  about  ten  fe^"^^ 
hicjh  not  included.  This  room  is  of  an  ofiangular  form ;  fouro^^ 
'ir-v  il  des  are  rounded  in  the  manner  of  nit-hes,  and  give  a  gracefc*  - 
variety  to  the  whole  ;  the  windov/s  arc  large  and  placed  fixtec 
:>ct  from  the  floor ;  all  below  them  is  finiflied  with  plain  wainfi 
^ntcTiupted  only  by  four  chimnics;  but  above  thefc  a  number 
Tonic  columns  and  piladers,  with  their  proper  entablature,  are 
iMdiciv}ufly  difpofed,  and  give  great  elegance.    In  the  paancb 


or    NEW-YORK.  ^IJ 

•n  the  windows  trophies  are  carved,  and  the  letters  U.  S.  in  a 
her  furrounded  with  laurel.  The  fpeaker's  chair  is  oppofite  the 
It  door,  arid  raifed  by  feveral  fteps  ;  the  chairs  for  the  membera 
ranged  femicircularly  in  two  rows  in  front  of  the  fpeaker ;  there 
two  galleries  for  the  accomnwdation  of  fpe<^ators, 
n  the  left  of  the  veilibule  is  a  lobby,  nineteen  by  forty-eight  feet, 
hed  with  Tiifcan  pilafters :  this  leads  to  the  fenate  chamber, 
ch  is  forty  feet  long,  thirty  wide  and  twenty  high,  with  an  arched 
ing ;  it  has  three  windows  in  front  and  three  back ;  thofe  in  front 

1  into  a  galleiy  twelve  feet  deep,  guarded  by  an  elegant  iron 
ng.     In  this  gallery  General  Wafliington,  attended  by  the  Senate 

Houfe  of  Representatives,  took  his  oath  of  office  as  Prefident, 
he  face  of  Heaven,  and  in  prefence  of  a  large  concoyrfe  of 
pie  aflembled  in  front. 

7he  fenate  chamber  is  decorated  with  pilafters  of  an  order  in- 
ted  by  Major  L*Enfant  the  architect,  which  have  a  magnificent 
earance.    The  marble  which  is  ufed  in  the  chimnies  fs  American, 

for  beauty  of  fhades  and  polifh  is  equal  to  any  of  its  kind  iK 

rope.    Befides  thefe,  there  are  feveral  other  rooms  for  ufe  and 

* 

veniencc ;  a  library,  lobbies,  and  committee  rooms  above,  and 
ird-rooms  below.  The  building,  on  the  whole,  does  much  credit 
:he  ingenuity  and  abilities  of  the  archited. 
The  other  public  buildings  in  the  city  are,  three  houfes  for  public 
rfliip  for  the  Dutch  reformed  church,  four  Prefbyterian  churches, 
ee  Epifcopal  churches,  two  for  German  Lutherans  and  Calvinifts, 
>  Friends'  meeting-houfes,  two  for  Baptiils,  two  for  Methodifts, 

2  for  Moravians,  one  Roman  Catholic  church,  one  French  Pro- 
ant  church  out  of  repair,  and  a  Jew*s  fynagogue.  Befides  thefe, 
re  is  the  governor's  houfe  already  mentioned,  a  moll  elegant 
Iding,  the  college,  gaol,  ^nd  feveral  other  buildings  of  lefs  note, 
e  city  is  accommodated  with  four  markets  in  different  parts, 
ch  are  fumifhed  with  a  great  plepty  and  variety  of  provifions  in 
t  and  excellent  order. 

^he  government  of  the  city,  which  was  incorporated  in  1696,  is 
'  in  the  hands  of  a  mayor,  aldermen  and  common  council.  The 
is  divided  into  feven  wards,  in  each  of  which  there  is  chofen 
•ially  by  tbe  people  an  alderman  and  an  affiftant,  who,  toge- 
with  the  recorder^  arc  appointed  annually  by  the  council  of  ap- 
^tment.  / 

Th(!> 


^iS  GENERxVL    DESCRIPTION 

The  mayor's  court,  which  is  held  from  time  to  time  by  adjourai 
jOBcnt,  is  in  high  reputation  as  a  court  of  law. 

A  court  of  feifions  is  likewife  beki  for  the  trial  of  criminal  caufcs. 

The  fituation  of  the  city  is  lx)th  healthy  and  pleafant ;  furroundcd 
on  all  fides  by  water,  it  is  refrcflied  with  cool  breezes  in  fumtner, 
and  the  air  in  winter  is  more  temperate  than  in  other  places  under 
the  fame  parallel,  "koik  iiland  is  fifteen  miles  in  length,  and  hardly 
one  in  breadth  ;  it  ie  joined  to  the  Maine  by  a  bridge,  called  King's 
bridge.  The  channels  between  Long  and  Staten  iflands,  and  be- 
tween Long  and  York  iflands,  are  fo  narrwv  as  to  occafion  anunufual 
yapidity  of  the  tides,  which  is  increafcd  by  the  confluence  of  the 
waters  of  the  Hudfon  and  Eaft  rivers ;  this  rapidity,  in  general,  prc» 
vents  the  obftrudion  of  the  channel  by  ice,  fo  that  the  navigatido 
is  clear,  except  for  a  few  days  in  feafons  when  the  weather  is  UQ* 
.commonly  fevere.  There  is  no  bafon  or  bay  for  the  recepdon  of 
fliips ;  but  the  road  where  they  lie,  in  Eaft  river,  is  defended  from 
the  violence  of  the  fea  by  the  iflands,  which  interlock  with  each 
other,  fo  that,  except  that  of  Rhode-Ifland  and  Portland,  in  the 
<liftri6l  of  ^..'aine,  the  harbour  of  New-York,  which  admits  (hips* 
any  burthen,  is  the  beft  in  the  United  States. 

This  city  is  efteemed  the  moft  eligible  fituation  for  commerce  «*• 
the  United  States.  It  almofl  neccflarily  commands  the  trade  of  oof 
iialf  of  New-Jcifey,  mofl  of  that  of  Connedicut,  and  part  of  tha^^ 
Maffachiifetts,  and  almoft  the  whole  of  Vermont,  befides  the  wrhol^ 
fertile  interior  country,  which  is  penetrated  by  one  of  the  largeft  ri"^^ 
in  America.  This  ciry  imports  moll  of  the  goods  confumed,  ^ 
Iwecn  a  line  of  thiitv  miles  eafl:  of  Connecticut  river,  and  tw^^ 
miles  weft  of  the  Hudfon,  which  is  130  miles,  and  between  ^ 
ocean  and  the  confines  of  Canada,  about  four  hundred  miles  ;  a  C-^ 
fidcraLle  portion  of  which  is  the  beft  peopled  of  any  part  of  ^ 
TJnit^d  States,  and  the  whole  territory  coiitains  ^t  leafl  eight  hund^ 
thoufand  people,  or  one-fifth  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Union.  ^ 
fides,  fome  of  the  other  States  are  partially  fupplied  with  go^ 
from  New- York.  But  in  the  ftaple  commodity  (flour)  Pennfylwi^ 
and  Mar)'land  have  exceeded  it — the  fupcrfine  flour  of  thofeSti>* 
jcommanding  a  higher  price  than  that  of  New-York  j  not  that  ^^ 
^quality  of  the  grain  in  this  State  is  worfe,  but  becaufe  greater  attenti^ 
}&  paid  in  thofe  States  to  the  infpeftion  and  manufadure  of  that  aiticr-* 

In  the  manufacture  likewife  of  iron,  paper,  cabinet  works,  S^ 
pcnnfylyania  exceeds  not  only  New-York  but  all  her  fiftcr  States.    ^ 


OF    KEW-YORI^.  3I5f 

e  of  peace,  however,  New-York  will  command  more  commerciaF 
inefs  than  any  town  in  the  United  States,  In  time  of  war  it  wil4 
infecure  without  a  marine  force  j  but  a  fmill  number  of  fiiipi 
I  be  able  to  defend  it  from  the  moft  formidable  attacks  bv  fea. 
\  want  of  good  water  is  at  prefent  a  great  inronvenienceto  the  citi- 
is^  there  being  few  wells  in  the  city ;  moft  of  the  people  arefnpplicd 
try  day  wkh  frefh  water,  conveyed  to  their  doors  in  calks,  from 
pump  near  the  head  of  Pearl-ftrcet,  which  receives  it  from  a 
ing  almoft  a  mile  from  the  center  of  the  city*  This  well  is  about 
5nty  feet  deep,  and  four  feet  diameter.  The  average  quantity 
awn  dailv  from  thi«  remarkable  well  is  one  hundred  and  ten  hogf- 
ads  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  gallons  each.  In  fome  hot  fummer- 
ys  two  hundred  and  fixteen  hoglheads  have  been  drawn  from  it,' 
d  what  is  very  fingular,  there  are  never  more  or  lefs  than  three 
;t  of  water  in  the  well.  The  water  is  fold  commonly  at  three. 
nee  a  hogflicad  at  the  pump.  Several  propofals  have  been  made 
'  individuals  to  fupply  the  citizens  by  pipes,  but  none  have  yet 
en  accepted. 

New- York  is  the  g-^yeft  place  in  America ;  the  4adies,  in  the  rich- 
:fs  and  brilliancy  of  their  drefs,  are  not  equalled  in  any  city  in  the 
nited  States,  not  even  in  Charlcflon,  South-Carolina,  which  ha* 
:retofore  been  called  the  center  of  the  ^ci7u  mondc.  The  ladies^ 
>wever,  are  not  folely  employed  in  attention  to  drefs ;  there  arc 
any  who  are  fludious  to  add  to  brilliant  external'  accomplidi- 
ents,  the  more  brilliant  and  lading  accompliihments  of  the  iiiind: 
>r  have  they  been  unfuccefsful ;  for  New- York  can  boaft  of 
•tat  numbers  oi  refined  tafte,  whoic  :iTiinds  are  highly  improyed, 
id  whofe  ccnverfation  is  as  inviting  as  their  perfonal  charnas  :  tinc- 
ired  wiih  a  Dutch  education^  they  maoage  their  families  with  good 
:onomy  and  lingular  neatncfs. 

In  point  of  fociability  and  hofpitality,  New-York  is  hardly 
K.ceeded  by  any  town  in  the  United  States.  IF,  however, 
i  regard  to  thefe  agreeable  charafteri flics,  the  preference  mufVbe 

• 

iven  to  any  one  place,  it  decidedly  belongs  to  Charleflon,  Sogtli- 
^^^lina.    Some  travellers  have,  in  thefe  rcfpe6ts,  given  Bofton  the 
'^'*<^rcnce  to  New-York. 
"^"n.  inquirer,  who  would  wifh  to  acquaint  himfelf  with  the  ftatc 

^  *^e  people  of  New-York,  their  manr.ers  and  government,  would 
'Orally  a(k  the  citizens  for*  their  focicties  for  the  cncouragemcttt 

*v:iences,  arts,  manufaftures,  &c,  for  their  public  libraries;  for 

their 


^2d  General  description 

their  patrons  of  literature ;  their  well-regiilated  academies;  forttetf 
female  academy  for  inftrucling  young  ladies  in  geography,  biftoty^ 
belles  lettrcSy  &c*  Such  inquiries  might  be  made  with  propriety^ 
but  could  not  at  prefent  be  anfwered  iatisfadtoi'iiy*  From  the  fpidt 
of  improvement,  however,  which  has  of  late  appeared,  th^reisK^ 
fon  to  believe,  that  this  tiiiit  in  the  character  of  the  citizens  of  New* 
y^rk  will  loon  give  place  to  one  diftinguiflied  for  a  preference  for 
thefe  things. 

On  a  general  view  of  this  city,  as  defcribed  thirty  years  ago,  and 
in  its  prefent  ftate,  the  coinparifon  is  flattering  to  the  prefent  age, 
particularly  the  improvements  in  talle,  elegance  of  manners,  and  that 
cafy  unatte<5ted  civility  and  poiitenels  which  form  the  happinefs  o( 
focial  intercourfe. 

It  is  found,  by  a  memorandum  in  one  of  the  old  regifters,  that 
the  number  of  inhabitants  in  the  city,  taken  by  order  of  the  kin|^ 
in  the  year  1697,  was  as  follows :         ' 

iMen 946 
"^"^'ornQxi 1018 
Young  men  and  boys 864 
Young  women  and  girls  ....     899 

37«y 

rMen «...    209 

Ncgroes-I  Women  .    •    .* 205 

L  Boys  and  girfs  ...,»•.    •     161 

S7S 

The  number  of  inhabitants  in  the  city  and  cdunty  of  New-Yortj 

ill  1756,  was  ten  thoufand  eight  hundred  and  eighty-one;  177^ 
twenty-one  thoufand  eight  hundred  and  fixty  three ;  1.786,  twenty 
three  thoufand  fix  hundred  and  fourteen ;  1 790,  thirty-three  thou- 
fand one  hundred  and  thirty-one ;  fince  w^hich  time  they  have  lO" 
fcrcafed  far  beyond  the  proportion  of  any  preceding  period. 

ALBANY. 

The  city  of  Albany  is  fituated  upon  the  weft  fide  of  Hudfon's  riveO 
one  hundred  and  fixty  miles  north  of  the  city  of  New- York,  in  latitude 
4z^  36',  and  is,  by  charter  granted  in  1686,  one  mile  upon  the  rivcT^i 
and  fixteen  back.  It  contains  upwards  of  one  thoufand  houfes,  buiC*^ 
moftiy  by  trading  people  on  the  margin  of  the  river.  The  houfes  ilanc^ 
chiefly  upon  Pearl,  Marfcet,  and  Water  ftreets,  and  fix  other  flrectso:^ 
lanes,  which  crofs  them  at  right  angles.  They  are  moftiy  built  in  th^ 
old  Dutch  Gothic  ftyle,  with  the  gable  end  to  the  ftreet,  which  cuftoftr  "- 
the  firft  fettlers  brought  with  them  fiom  Holland.    The  gable  end  i  ^ 

1  cooinx^I 


h 


OP    NEW-YORK.  321 

solily  cf  briclc,  with  the  heavy  moulded  ornament  flanting^ 
notches^  like  flairs>  and  an  iron  horfe  for  a  weather-cock  at  top. 
houfes  are  feldom  more  than  one  ftory  and  a  half  high,  and 
but  little  convenience,  and  lefs  elegance ;  but  they  are  kept 
neat,  being  nibbed  with  a  mop  almoft  every  day,  and  fcoured 
week.  Many  new  houfes,  however,  have  lately  been  built  in 
ity,  all  in  the  modern  ilyle )  the  inhabitants  are  paving  the 
8  in  the  New- York  plan  with  foot- ways;  and  making  ^ther  im- 
^rnents. 

le  city  of  Albany  contains  about  four  thoufand  inhabitants,  *  col- 
1  from  various  parts.  As  great  a  variety  of  languages  are  fpo- 
n  Albany  as  in  any  town  of  the  United  States,  but  the  Engliflv 
)minatcs,  and  the  ufe  of  every  other  is  conftantly  leflening.  Ad- 
irers,  in  purfuit  of  wealth,  are  led  here  by  the  advantages  for 
which  this  place  affords. 

bany  is  unrivalled  in  its  (ituation.  It  ftands  on  the  bank  of  one 
e  fineft  rivers  in  the  world,  at  the  head  of  a  floop  navigation.  It 
s  a  falubrious  air,  as  is  evinced  by  the  longevity  of  its  inhabi- 
.  It  is  the  natural  emporium  of  the  increafing  trade  "of  a  large 
It  of  country  weft  and  north ;  a  country  of  an  excellent  foil, 
nding  in  every  article  of  the  Weft-India  market,  plentiful-y  wa- 
1  with  navigable  lakes,  creeks,  and  rivers,  as  yet  only  partially 
led,  but  I'eitling  with  almoft  unexampled  rapidity,  and  capable 
fording  liibfiftence  and  affluence  to  millions  of  inhabitants.  No 
of  America  affords  a  more  eligible  Ojvening  for  emigrants  than 
and  when  the  contemplated  locks  and  canals  are  completed, 
bridge  over  the  Mohawk  river  ere6ted,  and  convenient  roads 
ed  into  every  part  of  the  country,  all  which  will,  it  is  ex- 
id,  be  accompliflied  in  a  few  years,  Albany  will  probably  in- 
e  and  flourifti  beyond  almoft  every  other  city  or  town  in  the 
ed  States. 

he  well-water  in  this  city  is  extremely  bad,  fcarcely  drinkable  by 

•  who  are  not  accuftomed  to  it.    It  oozes  through  a"  ftiffblue 

and  it  imbibes  in  its  paffage  the  fine  particles  common  to  that 

of  foil ;    this  difcolours  it,  and  when  expofed  any  length  of 

to  the  air,  it  acquires  a  difagreeable  tafte.     Indeed,  all  the 

"•  for  cooking  is  brought  from  the  river,  and  many  families  ufe 

drink.     The  water  in  the  wells  is  unwholefome,  being  full  of 

infeftsi,  refembling,  except  in  (ize,  thofe  which  we  frequently 

1  ftagnated  rain-water.     Bur  the  inhabitants  are  about  to  remeJy 

9L.  II.  T  t  this 


31^3  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

this  inconvenience,   by  conftruding  watcf-worlw  to  connf  pA 
water  into  the  city. 

The  public  buildings  are,  a  Low  Dutch  Church,  one  for  Prd^ 
terians,  one  fur  Germans  or  High  Dutch,  one  for  EpifcopalttOSHk 
hofpital,  the  city-hall,  and  a  haadlbnae  bnck  gaoL 

iii;dso^« 

The  city  of  Hu  Ifon  has  had  the  naoft  rapid  growth  of  any  place  in 
America,  if  we  except  Baltimore,  in  Maryland.  It  is  fituated  on  tbe 
eafl  fide  of  Hudfon's  river,  in  latitude  42°  23',  and  is  one  hundred 
and  thirty  miles  north  of  New-York;  thirty  miles  fouth  of  Albany^ 
and  four  miles  well  from  Old  Claverack  town.  It  b  furrouadedby 
an  exteniive  and  fertile  back  country^  and,  in  proportion  to  Us 
and  population,  carries  on  a  large  trader 

No  longer  ago  than  the  autumn  of  1783,  MelTrs.  Seth  aad  Thomai 
Jenkins,  from  Providence,  in  the  State  of  Rhode-Ifland,  having  firfti 
rcconnoitercd  all  the  way  up  the  river,  fixed  on  the  unfettled  fpotf 
where  Iludibn  now  flands^  for  a  town.     To  this  fj>ot  they  found  the 
river  was  navigable  for  veffels  of  any  fize.    They  purchafed  a  tra& 
of  about  a  mile  fquare,  bordering  on  the  river,  with  a  largp  bay' to 
the  fouth\^ard,  and  divided  it  iato  thirty  parcels  or  fhares*    Other 
adventurers  were  admitted  to  proportions,  aad  the  town  was  laidooS 
in   fquares,    formed  by  fpacious  flreets,    croiGng  each  other  at 
right  angles  :  each  fquare  contains  thirty  lots,,  two  deep,  divided  by 
a  twenty  feet  alley  ;  each  lot  is  fifty  f&et  in  front,  and  one  hundred 
and  twenty  feet  in  depth. 

In  the  fpring  of  1 784,  fereral  hoofes  and  flores  were  crcfted.  The 
jiicreafe  of  the  town  from  this  period  to  the  fpring  of  1786,  two 
years  only,  was  aftonifliingly  rapid,  and  reflects  great  honour  upoa 
the  enterpriling  and  perfcvering  fpirit  of  the  original  fbunders.  hi 
the  fpace  of  time  jnft  mentioned,  no  lefs  than  one  hundred  and  fifty- 
dwelling  houfes,  beftdes  fliops,  barns,,  and  other  buildings,  four 
warehoufes,  fevcral  wharfs,  fpermaceti  works,  a  covered  rope  walk> 
and  one  of  the  beft  diftilleries  in  America,,  were  eredted^  and  fifteen 
hundred  fonk  collected  on  a  fpot,  which,  three  years  before,  wa> 
improved  as  a  farm,  and  but  two  years  before  began  to  be  built.  Itf 
increafe  fince  has  been  very  rapid;  a  printing-office  has  been  eftab* 
liflicd,  and  fevcral  public  buildings  have  been  ere6t«d,  befides  dweU 
ling  houles,  llores>  &c.    The  inhabitants  are  plentifully  and  convc- 

nieotlf 


OF    NEW-YORK.  323 

J  fupplt^d  with  wnter,  brought  to  their  cellars  in  wooden  pipes 

a  fpring  two  miles  from  the  town*  « 

lands  on  an  eminence,  from  which  are  eztenfive  and  delightliil 

s  to  the  north-weft,  north,  and  round  that  way'  to  the  foutlv- 

confifting  of  hills  and  vallies,  variegated  with  woods  and* or? 

ds,  com-iields  and  meadows,  with  the  river,   which  is  in  moft 

:es  a  mile  over,  and  may  be  feen  a  conHderable  diilance  to  the 

ithward,  forming  a  number  of  bays  and  creeks.    From  the  fouth« 

ft  to  the  fouth-weft,  the  city  is  fcreened  with'  hills  at  different  dif- 

aces,'  and  weft,  afar  off  over  the  river  and  a  large  valley,  the  prof- 

ed  is  bounded  by  a  chain  of  iluptndous  mountains,  called  theKatts«> 

ill,  running  to  the  weft-north-weft,  which  add  magnificence  and 

iiblimity  to  the  whole  fcene. 

Upwards  of  twelve  hundred  fleighs  entered  the  city  daily,  for  fe- 
deral days  together,  in  February,  1786,  loaded  with  grain  of  varioua 
Icinds,  boards^  fliing1es«  ftaves,  hoops,  iron  ware,    ftone  for  build<». 
^g,  fire-wx>od,  and  fundry  articles  of  provifion  for  the  market,  from 
^hich^ome  idea  may  be  formed  of  the  advantage  of  its  (ituation 
with  refpedl  to  the  country  adjacent,  which  i«  every  way  extenfive 
and  fertile,    particularly  weftward.     The  original  proprietors  of 
Hudfon  offered  to  purchafe  a  tra£t  of  land  adjoining  the  fouth  part  of 
the  city  of  Albany,  and  were  conftrained,  by  a  refufal  of  the  propo- 
rtion; to  become  competitors  for  the  commerce  of  the  northern 
country,  when  otherwife   they   would  I^ye   ^ddecl  grea^  wealth 
$Mid  fooiequence  tp  A^ban^, 

POUGHKBEfSIE^ 

Toughkeepfie  is  the  fliirjC  town  of  Duchef^  county,  and  is  fituated 
upon  the  eaft  fide  of  Hudfon's  river,  and  north  of  Wapping- 
UU  or  creek.  It  is  a  pleafant  little  town,  and  has  frequently  been 
|(he  feat  of  the  S^ate  government. 

LAK'SINBURCH. 

Lanfinburgh,  formerly  called  the  New  City,  f^ands  on  the  eaf 
fide  of  the  Hudfon,  juft  oppofite  to  the  fouth  branch  of  Mohaw^ 
|-iver,  and  nine  miles  north  of  Albany.    It  is  a  very  fiourifhing  piac/ 
pleaiantly  ficuated  on  a  jplain  at  the  foot  of  a  hill. 

T  t  %  KI^ 


324.  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

•        •  •       • 

KINGSTOK. 

'  Kingfton  is  the  county  town  of  Uliler.  Before  it  was  ImrDtbythi 
Britifh,  in  17779  it  contained  about  two  hundred  boufesy  regulari}' 
built  on  an  elevated  dry  plain,  at  the  mouth  of  a  little  pleafaot  ftreami 
called  £fopus-kill  or  creek,  that  empties  into  the  Hudfon,  butii 
neai  ly  two  miles  wed  from  the  river.    The  town  has  been  rebuilt 

SKENECTADT. 

Skenedlady  is  fixteen  miles  north-weft  of  Albany,  in  Albany 
county,  (ituated  on  the  banks  of  the  Mohawk  river.  The  town  if 
compad  and  regular,  built  of  brick,  and,'  excepting  a  few,  in  the 
old  Dutch  %le,  on  a  rich  fiat  of  low  land,  furrounded  with  hilk» 
The  windings  of  the  river  through  the  town,  and  the  fields,  which 
/are  often  overflowed  in  the  fpring,  afford  a  beautiful  profped  about 
harvcfl  t  me.  As  it  is  at  the  foot  of  a  navigation  on.  a  long  rivcr> 
which  pafTes  through  a  very  fertile  country,  one  would  fuppofe  itto; 
embrace  much  of  the  commerce  of  it ;  but  originally  knowing  i» 
other  than  the  fur  trade,  fince  the  revolution  the  place  has  decayed^ 
and  no  advantage  been  taken  of  its  happy  fituation*. 


/_ 


P^ATTSBURGH. 

Plattfburgh  is  an  extenfive  townfliip  in  Clinton  county,  iituatej 
on  the  wefl  margin  of  lake  Champlain.  From  the  fo^th  part  of  th^ 
town  the  mountains  turn  away  wide  fi'om  the  lake,  and  le^vet 
charming  tra<5l  of  excellent  land,  of  a  rich  loam,  well  watered,  and 
about  an  equal  proportion  fuitable  for  meadow  and  for  tillage.  The 
land  rifes  in  a  gentle  afcent  for  feveral  miles  from  the  lake,  of  which 
every  farm  will  have  a  delightful  view.  Seven  years  ago,  this  town? 
Ihip,  and  the  whole  county,  indeed,  which  at  prefent  contains  fe- 
veral thoufand  inhabitants,  was  a  wildernefs;  now  they  have  a 
houfe  for  public  worfliip,  a  court  houfe,  and  gaol.  The  courts  of 
common  pl.as  and  general  feffions  of  the  peace  fit  here  twice  in  a 
year.  They  have  artilans  of  almoft  every  kind  aniong  them,  and 
fnmifli  among  themfJves  all  the  materials  for  building,  glafs  ex- 
cepted. Pol  ire  circles  iray  nere  be  found,  and  the  genteel  traveller 
be  entertained  with  the  luxuries  of  a  fea  port,  a  tune  on  the  harpfi" 
choid,  ai;d  a  philoiophical  converfation.  This,  with  many  other 
iaflances  of  the  kind,  ferve  to  verify  -^  prophetic  remark,  in  a  letter 
z  of 


Ct'd 


OF   NE-W-YORK.  MJ 

Congrefs  to  their  conftitucnts,  written  in  a  tiinc  of  gloomy  def- 
ndency,  to  the  following  purport :  **  Vaft  lakes  and  riversi^ 
LTcely  IfLaowa  or  explored,  whoie  waters  have  rolled  for  ages  ia 
mce  and  obfeurity  to  the  ocean,  and  extcnfive  wildernelTes  of  fer- 
;  foil,  the  dwelling  place  of  favage  beafls,  fliall  yet  hear  the  din 
induftry,  become  fubfervient  to  commerce,  and  boaft  deiightfu^ 
las,  gilded  fpires,  and  fpacioui  cities  rifing  oq  their  banks,  aa4 
ids  loaded  with  the  fruit  of  cultivation." 

POPULATION. 

The  number  of  inhabitants  in  this  State,  in  1 786,  was  two  hun* 
ndred  and  thirty-eight  thoufand  eight  hundred  and  ninety»feveo,  of 
lich- eighteen  thoufand  eight  hundred  and  eighcy-nine  were  blacks. 

1756,  there  were  eighty-three  thoufand  two  hundred  and  thirty-; 
ree  whites,  and  thirteen  thoufand  five  hundred  and  forty-two  blackst 
oety-iix  thoufand  (even  hundred  and  feventy-five  in  the  whole.  Ii| 
71,  there  were  one  hundred  and  forty-eight  thoufand  one  hundred 
id  twenty-four  whites,  and  nineteen  thoufand  eight  hundred  and 
ghty-three  blacks;  total  one  hundred  and  iixty -eight  thoufand  and 
veo.'  From  the  above  enumerations  it  appears,  that  the  average  in* 
•cafe  of  inhabitants,  from  1756  to  1786,  was  faur  thouiand  five 
undred  and  fifty-four.  The  population  in  1790,  was  three  hundred 
)d  forty  thoufand  one  hundred  and  twenty ;  but  from  what  has  ai^ 
sady  been  obfcived  refpedting  New- York,  Albany,  &c.  it  is  evident 
at  the  preient  number  of  inhabitants  cannot  be  much  fhort  of  fouir 
lodred  thoufand.  A  cOnfiderable  part  of  thcie  have  emigrated  froni 
irope  and  the  New-England  States.  Thefe  emigrations  have  been 
:ry  numerous,  particularly  from  Rhode-Iflaud,  Connedticut,  and 
[affachufetts,  fince  the  peace  of  1783. 

The  following  tables  exhibit  the  number  of  inhabitants  ineacli 
^vin  according  to  the  cenfus  of  1790  : 


RICH* 


j«« 


GIHIKAL    DESCmPTIOK 
RICHMOND    COUNTY. 


- 

1 

5 

TOWNS. 

It 

|5 

1 

ts 

^ 

-1 

. 

ns 

»r 

P 

^ 

1 

* 

u. 

CaAle-Town  .    .    . 

.78 

'73 

314 

26 

114 

i 

Weftfield     .... 

197 

SI3 

437 

3' 

276 

i; 

Soathfield    .... 

Jl' 

,06 

1 

Noi-thfield  .... 

aiq 

326 

402 

n? 

It 

749 

75' 

144Q  i   i»- 

759(     3< 

K 

ING's 

COUNTY. 

Brooklyn     .    .   .    . 

36* 

i;s 

14 

401; 

11 

Flatbiidi 

160 

^7t 

Ne«.Utrecht  .    .    . 

98 

8j 

,67 

inf 

GravefeinJ  .    .    .    . 

88 

69 

119 

<; 

i-t"; 

Flatlands     ,    .   .    . 

Bufliwick    .   .   .    . 

la, 

69 

17* 

5 

171 

903 

700 

1414       46 

I43» 

A' 

QJU 

EEN' 

COUNTY, 

NewTown     :  .    . 

420 

353 

753 

(2 

5^1 

a 

Jamaica 

Flufliing      .    .    .    . 

397 

39+ 

697 

"5 

ii 

3»S 

aag 

590 

12^ 

34c 

New-Hampltead     . 

SJO 

441 

'7' 

107 

3( 

Oj'fter-Bay  .... 

756 

,81 

Souih-Hampftead    . 

91^ 

769 

1705 

9^ 

326 

3t 

3SS4 

2863  I  6480  1  H08 

2309   ib( 

SU 

FFOL 

K    COUNTY. 

Huntington     .    .    . 

763 

146B 

7+ 

Iflip 

•3* 

126 

24! 

6K 

15 

( 

Smith-Town  .  ..    . 

>9S 

■79 

,(.9 

'n 

ibl 

i< 

Brookhavcii     .    .    . 

6.7 

Shelter  Illand  .    .    . 

38 

Soulhhold    .    .    .    . 

765 

646 

.4,6 

182 

.Sourti-Hampton      . 

7«i 

fl^ 

■«4 
67, 

2B4 

14b 

Eaft-Hampioa     .   . 

3S+ 

272 

99 

99 

i| 

a?!** 

3»73 

7.87 

1126 

10981  ibi 

OP  new-York-  337 

NEW-YORK,  CITY  AND  COUNTY. 


TOWNS, 

i! 

la 
I" 

1 

I- 

1 

1 

i. 
1 

1 

1 
1 
< 

of  New-York     . 
emDuifion   .   . 

83=8 
'7» 

5797 

14963 
291 

1060 

41 

"ii;x 

8500I     590; 

.,.«'..o. 

3169I 33131 

WEST-CHESTER  COUNTY. 

riinna,     , 
[-Chefter, 
■Chcfter, 
am,      .    . 
ters,    .    . 
;n  burgh, 
-Rodielle, 
'dak,  .    . 
taroncck, 

43 
ai7 
>74 

73 
108 
25S 
24a 
"130 

e 
=47 

s66 
343 
3B9 
484 

^1339 

17 

160 
31 

3*3 
130 

.64 

IS 

311 
«39 
297 
381 
457 

4' 
4*1 
320 

H 
45« 
616 
877 
"3 
171 
427 
453 

909 
[2q; 
1182 

% 

S"9 

77' 
90s 

49 

la 

M 
18 
U 

8 
43 

7 

»4 
16 

2^ 

a? 
357 

30 
442 

3'^ 

170 
"9 

aS 
57 
133 

5+ 

29 

38 

'9 

aB 
3S 

4D 

66 

'33 
1203 
740 
199 

1 

9S6 
1004 

505 
1934 
2478 
2470 
106s  ' 
H!3 
1058 
1297 
1609 
1932 

c  Plains, 
nt  Pkafant 
h-Cafile, 
ard,     ,    . 
dridge,  . 

li -Sale  ID, 

rilandt,    . 

^^30 

10,(8 

1419 

24003 

DUCHESS     COUNTY. 

lerickftown, 
lipftown, 
heaft-ToWn 
ling,     .    . 

kiJJ,  '  '.   '. 

•^ 

"437 
S'7 
23 

><>3 
84- 

1366 

'54 
59 
24 

106 
95 

119 

»»i 
94 
43 
S09 
168 
264 

4 

9 
4 

63 
I        as 
■3 
42 
106 
6or 

S')3a 
ao/ij 

9*1 
4330 
3597 
594 1 

jlS  CENEitAL  beictLitrion 

DUCHESS  COUNTY,  CONTINUEDr 


TOWNS. 

it 
1^ 

1 

1 

1 
1 

1 

i 
1 

1 

< 

fS 

Pou^hVeqirit,    .    .    . 

Clinion 

Ameiiia, 

Northeaft-Toivn,  .    . 

Rhvntbeck 

Wafliingion,      .   .    . 

6,7 

'•,U 

1267 

S73 

"so 
863 

.8,5 

.09s 
"'■S 

'+49 
'S97 
.S44 
•494 

48 
29 

66 
5S 

5=     3»?' 

4.°     3M 
78     J.l 

1  10966 

1.06a 

20,40 

+40 

.856    4S"l 

ORANGE    COUNTY. 

Midfaik 

Golhen 

New -Cornwall,      .    . 
Warwick, 

Have.ftraw,   .    .    . 
Orange-Tow  11, 

.08. 
86, 
.19. 

S46 

S'9 
1019 

896 
1174 

,76 

.0441 
1044 
1906 
.;oa 
«o7 
470 

17 
59 

42 

41 
16 
ib 

SI 

203 

«4 

i 

Hi 

4600 

4340 

8,8, 

966 

.«« 

ULSTER     COUNTY. 

Woodfi.K;k,    .    .    • 
Middlelo*ri,       .    . 
Rochefter,      .    .    . 
Mama-Cating,    .    . 

Hurly, 

Marbletown,      .    . 
Shawangtink)      .    . 
Montg'Hiicry,     .    . 
V/allk.ll,     .... 
New-Winrffo^  .-  . 
Nfw-Bilrg!i,   .    ;    . 
N'-w-Marlborotigb, 
New-Paltz,     .    .    . 
KingflQii 

'93 

ib6 
49* 
484 
8,8 
604 
463 
6.5 
S36 

268 

3s  1 

':i 

453 
690 

4'7 

s: 

J.O 

74  > 

& 

840 
821 
.578 
1166 

"fa 
.JS8 

'4 

S 

'S 

'i 

"7 

> 

S 

'S 

■! 

6 
48. 

S 
'♦S 
374 
350 
236 
.03 
117 

30« 
7' 

.Dl 
.6! 

i 
•3' 

,7o;S'     679 

..48 

,,06 

.,3S 

Of    NEW-YtJRKi 


Pi 


COLUMBIA    COilNTTi 


"-S 

1 

i" 

II 

1 

3WNS. 

Si 

f  c 

J 

^ 

.5    • 

H 

J 

1 

fcS 

£■* 

= 

g  «^ 

£  - 

^ 

< 

K 

i- 

ro«n,  .    .    . 

,;,., 

1704 

3*35 

s 

3S 

669a 

t:,      . 

1054 

1120 

>»4! 

6 

3' 

4!  (6 

11,      . 

2  48 

"33 

4594 

lok, 

.  . 

io3( 

ioa8 

'9S4 

6 

638 

466  J 

*.       • 

744 

749 

.4,8 

340 

3262 

61B 

590 

,,56 

aj 

'93 

'S* 

.90 

so  7 

357 

113 

86; 

Town,     .    . 

iiti 

127 

»3i 

40 

5,6 

^573 

6737 

.2,44 

_J5 

,623 

277„ 

ALBAN 

Y    CC 

UNT 

Y. 

■nvick.To«'n, 

2017 

2086 

3<>3S 

57"     83'S 

Town,     .    . 

•7'3 

foil 

3»>4 

1 

2  5     6795 

wn,       .    .    . 

iBqo 

3!"'/ 

'3 

69     7333 

gc. 

124a 

i^ob 

2404 

41     4996 

ion, 

843 

954 

.670 

7 

ia8     3(102 

,    . 

738 

808 

1404 

8 

S3'     3^7' 

69-. 

8+1 

,4S6 

'8 

«7     3035 

ter, 

770 

794 

'430 

61,    3071 

568 

Ti 

,,,, 

481    «S39 

WD, 

566 

700 

1.4a 

33     »447 

coke,     .    .    ; 

409 

38; 

694 

343     '833 

'?■•  ■■•,■ 

I  Bo 

.70 

3=8 

78 

-75(3 

ids  nor  in- 1 
in  towns,  J 

6 

S 

9 

6 

39 

City,      .    .    . 

804 

'■!} 

1443 

s6 

57« 

3498 

'lict,      .    .    . 

'VJ: 

,6,6 

3162 

'7 

7=7 

-7419 

822 

'474 

8 

302 

340& 

11,  ".   '.    .    .    . 

47 

3S7 

«JS 

8 

3°5 

lySo 

i, 

53= 

4" 

86 

5 

l8l2 

:r-VilIe,     .    . 

7= 

74= 

13 

2771 

^urgh,    .   .    . 

4K 

36 

865 

i47f. 

54^ 

43 

93' 

1 

15 

1073 

idy  S.W  the  1 
»wk,  ...  1 

?.;< 

«7 

,48. 

34 

38 

3+7  » 

.8^4 

[8S6 

5412 

JJi 

,92 

75756 

33° 


GEKEftAL   DESCRI^TIOW 


MONTGOMERY    COUNTY. 


TOWNS. 

1 
P 

i 

1 

i 

1 

1 

i 

Oiefgo,      .   .   . 
Caughnewaga,  . 

,111 

351 
406 
680 
6+8 
■  6+8 
S't 
•3 

417 
1068 

8,s 
1141 
301 
388 
4+3 
6++ 
■  S38 
+1+ 

6,8 

■  S8« 
aoga 

749 
1091 
iE63 

77. 

6 
4 
10 
S 
a 

3 
6 

S 
19a 

S 
7 

6 

i;o 
340- 

Mohawk,  .   .   . 

German  Flacts, 
Herkcrmer,    .    . 
VVhiies-TmvD,  . 
Chemung,      .    , 
Connafoxharric, 
Harpers  fiftd, 
Chenango,     .    . 

'30; 

;g 

6^J 
4 

7866 

7aoi 

iqKia 

4' 

588 

28S« 

WASHING! 

'ON 

ecu 

NT 

f. 

Salera-Town,    .    ,    . 
Gi-anv-ille,      .... 
Arey)e,      

5», 

03 

406 
,61 

108 

5'4 
6+6 
59  ■ 
479 
27s 
.91 
B14 
■3' 

1093 
1057 

S43 

38, 
.224 

:i 

'4 
9 

23 

J. 

Qiicenlberry,     .    .    . 
Kingfbcrrv,    .    .    ,    , 
Whitehall,     .... 

4 

,6„ 

37W 

66»( 

47 

14c 

CLINTO 

N    CC 

UNI 

rv. 

Cham  plain-Town,    . 

188 
'S3 
132 
73 

86 
3« 

3S7 

,56 

9' 

'S 

3 
>3 

5 
4 
3 

Wellftur^b 

Crown  Poinr,     .    .   , 

S+6 

678 

■7 

i6r 

Ontario  Conntj-,    .    . 

5'4 

■9" 

342 

6 

>t 

,.,, 

or    NEW-YORK,  331 

SUMMARY   OF    POPULATION, 


COUNTIES, 

1' 

1 

|i. 

1 
1 

1 
< 

i 

1 

1 

aond  County,    . 
s  do.     .... 
I'sdo 

kdo 

rkCityfc  County 

Clieftef  County, 
efs  do.    .    .    .    . 

^e  do 

■rfo 

□biado.     .    .    . 

ly  do 

goniery  do, 
iogtnn  do.      .    . 

iodo".    '.'.'.'. 

!49 
903 

3S!4 

Sjoo 

Alii 

.M9 

7S> 
700 
2863 
3*73 
SO07 
S330 

43*0 
6791 
6737 
18S66 

375' 
357 
19a 

14+9'  '27 
14J4     4*' 
6+80    S^8 
7.871126 
.5254  not 
'0958,  $c,7 
2oq4o>  440 
838s;  »o. 
"48;    1S7 
"744      55 
341:17    170 
J3i;2      41 
6625        ■^ 
678      16 
34a|       6 

759 

:^9i 
2369 

i8i« 

2906 
1623 
39=4 
S88 
47 
'7 

383  s 
4495 
i6oi4 
.6,40 
33"3' 
24003 

4;2« 
1849? 
29397 
"773; 

7573' 
.8848 
1404a 
■  6,4 
I07S 

Sjjoo 

,8,2. 

1583104654'  41374 

340120 

CURIOSITIES, 
le  county  of  Montgomery  is  a  fmall,  rapid  ftream,  emptying 
roon  lake,  weft  of  lake  George ;  it  runs  under  a  hill,  the  bafe 
ich  is  fixty  or  feventy  yards  diameter,  forming  a  moft  curious 
^autiful  arch  in  the  rock,  as  white  as  ftiow.  The  fuiy  of 
Iter,  and  the  roughnels  of  the  bottom,  added  to  t}ie  terrific 
vitliin,  has^iitherto  prevented  <"*y  perfon  from  paffing  througli 

he  townHiipof  Willlborough,  in  Clinton  county,  is  a  curious 
Kk.  A  point  of  a  mountain,  which  projefted  about  fifty 
into  lal^e  Champlainj  appears  to  have  been  broken  by  fome 

Ihock  of  nature.  It  is  removed  from  the  main  rock  or  moup- 
out  twenty  feet,  and  the  oppofite  fides  fo  exaflJy  fuit  each 

that  there  needs  no  other  proof  of  their  having  been  once 

The  point  broken  off  contains  about  half  ^  acre,  and  is 

i  with  wood.    The  hcigbt  of  the  rock  00  each  fide  of  the  fif< 


3^2  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

furc  is  about  twelve  ftet,     Rr)und  this  point  is  a  fpacious  bay,  fcA     i' 
tercd  from  the  louth  weft  and  nor; h  weft  winds  by  the  furroundinj 
hills  and  woods.     On  the  weft  ii  le  arc  four  or  five  finely  cuWwtol    i" 
farms  which  altogether,  at  certam  fcaions,  and  in  cenain  fituatiooii 
fo.m  one  of  the  moft  beautiful  landlcap^s  imaginable.    "Sailing   if 
un.ler  this  coaft  for  fcveral  miles  before  you  come  to  Split  Rock,  the 
mountains,  rude  and  barren,  feem  to  hang  over  the  paffenger  aoj  ^ 
thi  eaten  deft ru^i«n. — A  water,  boundlefs  to  the  fight,  lifes  before 
him  ;  man  feels  his  ovi'n  littleneis,  and  infidelly  itfelf  paysamm*! 
willing  homage  to  the  Creator.     Inftantly  and   unexpectedly  the  1 
fcciie  clianges,  and  peeping  with  greedy  eye  through  the  fiffurc, 
nature  prefents  to  the  view  a  (ilver  bafon,  a  verdant  lawn,  a  hurnblfi 
cottage,  a  golden  harvefV,  a  majeflic  foreil,  a  lofty  mouataio,  a^ 
azure  flcy,  rihng  one  ab6ve  another  ^*  in  juft  gradation  totheaooh 
zing  whole.'** 

In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1 79a  a  very  extraprdinary  cavcni| 

at  a  place  called  by  the  Indians,  Sepafcot,  on  the  ^ftate  of  the  Mi& 

Rutfens,   at  Rhyiibeck,   in  Diichefs  county,    was  difcovered.    i^ 

lad,  by  chance,  pafllng  near  its  entrance,  which  lay  between  two 

huge  ro.ks  on  the  declivity  of  a  fte^p  hi|l,    on  prying  into  the 

gloomy  reccfs,  faw  the  top  of  a  ladder,  -by  which  he^efcended  abort 

len  feet,  and  found  himfclf  in  a  fubterr^neous  apartnpent,  more  ca 

pacious  than  he  chofe  to  inveftigate.     He  found,  Ipwcver,  that  i 

had  been  the  abode  of  perlons,  who  probably  during  the  war  nc 

daring  to  be  feen  openly,  had  taken  (helter  there,  as  bits  of  clot 

and  pieces  of  leather  were  fcattered  about  its  floor.    He  then  l^t  th 

place,  and  little  more  was  thought  of  it,  until  the  month  of  Odob< 

following,  when  the  writer  of  the  following  account  made  ope  ( 

a  large  party,  who  went  from  the  feat  of  a  gentleman  ^n  the  neigl 

bourhood    on .  purpofe  to  examine  it.     "  We  found  its  cncran( 

much  fmaller  than  we  expedted,  and  with  fome  difficulty  gained  d 

ladder,  by  means  of  which  the  remaining  defcent  was  made  tolerab 

eafy.     Two  young  ladies  were  with  us,  who  had  heroifoi  enough 

make  the  trophimium  tour  with  us.   We  had  fix  candles  to  fcrutipi 

the  recefies  of  the  apartment,  where,  perhaps,  light,  for  upwards 

five  thoufand.  years  before,   had  never  gleamed.     We  found  tj 

pave  divided  by  a  narrow  pafiage  into  two  diyifions  i  the  &ft  beii 

about  feventeep  feet  in  length,  and  fo  low,  that  a  child  of  eight  yd 

*  Mr.  M.  L.  Woolfey,  of  Plattfbui^h.     To  this  ingenious  gentleman  the  pub 
»re  ihdebUd  for  miicU  valtisdite  iikfdrmdti6a  Concerning  Clinton  oAojotf, 


OF    NEW-YORK:,  33J 

tM  could  but  jiaft  walk  upright  in  it ;  the  breadth  is  about  eight  or 

ten  feet/  The  fecorid,  between  twc»ve  and  tburteen  feet  in  lengthy 

but  much  hrgher  and  broader  than  the  iirft.     In  this  lad  room  we 

feund  that  three  bats  had  taken  up  their  winter  quarters,  and  hung 

fufpended  from  ihe  roof,  as  it  were,  by  the  very  tips  of  the  wings. 

But  what  makes  the  cave  peculiarly  worthy  of  notice  is  the  petrify^ 

^g  quality  of  the  water,  that  by  a  gentle  oozing,  continually  drops 

ftoin  every  part  of  th©  ceiling,  the  whole  of  which  exaftly  refembJes 

^  mill  gutter  in  a  frofly  morning,  with  a  thoufand  icicles  impend- 

^Bg.    Thefc  concretions  are  formed  by  the  water,  and  probably  are 

^onftantly  increafing.    They  liave  in  almoft  every  refpeft  the  appear- 

Imce  01  icicles,  and  may  be  broken  off  by  the  hand  if  not  more  than 

two  inches  in  circumference.    They  appear  of  a  confiftence  much 

Jike  indurated  lime,  almolt  tranfparent,  and  are  all  perforated  quite 

through  the  whole  length,  with  a  ho'e  of  the  i\zt  of  that  in  a  tobacco 

pipe,  through  which  aperture  the  water  unremittedly  drops,  although 

very  (low.     When  a  perion  is  in  the  remoteft  room,  and  the  lights 

.Itfc  removed  into  the  firfl,    thofe  pendant  drOps  of  water  make  an 

appearance  more  fplendid  than  can  well  be  imagined.  Some  of  thofe 

ilony  icicles  have  at  length  reached  the  bottom  of  the  cave,  and  now 

form  pillars,  fomeof  more  than  two  feet  in  girth,  of  the  appearance 

of  marble,  and  almoft  as  hard.    They  put  one  in  mind  of  Solomon's 

^achin  and  Boaz,  imagination  very  eafily  giving  them  pedefbls  and 

chapiters,  and  even  wreathen  work. 

Bvt  what  we  moil  admired,  was  the  fkeleton  of  a  large  fnake, 
turned  into  iolid  (lone  by  the  petrifying  quality  of  the  water  before 
mentioned.  It  was  with  fonie  dilHcuIty  torn  up  with  an  axe  from  the 
jock  it  lay  upon,  fome  of  which  adhered  to  it,  and  is  now  in  the-pof- 
ieflion  of  tht  relator. 

.  W^  found  the  inmoft  receifes  of  this  cavern  very  warm,  and  expe« 
rieuced  the  want  of  free  air  by  a  difficult  refpiratiooi  although  the 
candies  burnt  very  clear,"* 

JtELlGION  AND  CHARACTER. 

The  conftitution  of  this  State  provides  ♦*  for  the  free  exercife 
and  enjoyment  of  religious  profeifion  and  worfliip,  without  difcri- 
xntnation  or  preference  within  the  State,  for  all  mankind.  Pro- 
vided that  the  liberty  of  conicience  hereby  granted,  ihall  not  be  fe 

*  lUlaflachiiie^  Magazine  for  November,  X79i2r. 

con- 


33+  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

Gonftrued  as  to  excufe  a<5ts  of  licentioufnefs,  or  juflify  pa£ticcs  ifl^' 
CQnliiUnt  with  the  peace  and  tiJicty  of  the  State." 

The  various  religious  denominations  in  this  State  are  the  folf 
lowing:  English  Prefbyterians,  Dutch  refornaed,  Baptiils,  Epif- 
copa'.ijins,  Frieqds  or  Quakers,  German  Lutherans,  Moravians, 
Jilethodids,  Romao  Catholics,  Jews,  Shakere,  and  a  few  of  the 
f^llowiers  of  Jemima  Wilkinibn.  The  Shakers  are  principally 
fettled  at  New-Lebanon,  and  the  followers  of  Jemima  Wilkinfon  at 
Geiieva,  about  twelve  miles  fouth-wefl  of  the  Cayoga  lake.  For  • 
the  peculiar  fentiiuents  of  thele  various  r^Ugiows  feds^  fee  the  ge« 
iieral  account  of  the  United  States,  under  the  article  Religion. 

In  April,  1784,  the  legiflature  of  this  State  pafl'ed  an  aft,  cna- 
bUng  all  religipu^  icicivoipin.ations  to  appoint  truftees,  not  lefs  thaa 
three,  or  niore  than  nine,  who  fliall  be  a  body  corporate,  for  th&  - 
}^rpofe  of  taking  care  of  the  tejnporalities  of  their  refpeftive  congre-' 
gjjilions,  and  for  ihe  other  purpofes  therein  mentioned. 

The  miniflers  of  every  denomination  in  the  State  are  Iwpported 
by  the  volu^fitary  contribution  of  the  pepple,  raifed  generally  by 
fubfcripti(Mi,  or  by  a  ta?c  qpon  the  pews ;  except  the  PMtcii  churches  • 
in  New-Y^ik,  Skeneftady,  and  Kingfton,  which  have,  ex^cepi  ihh 
two  lail,  large  eftates  confirmed  by  charter^  The  Epifcopal  churcl:^ 
alfo  iQ  New-York  poflefTes  a  very  large  elUte  in  and  near  the  city. 

The  effeds  of  the  Revolution  have  been  as  greatly  and  as  happil]^ 
felt  by  this,  as  by  any  of  the  United  States.     The  acccflion  of  inhabi-=- 
tants  within  a  few  years  has  be.cn  great,  even  beyond  calculation;  aad| 
fo  long  as  lands  can  be  obtained  upon  advantageous  terms,  and  witfa» 
n  good  title,  and  the  general  government  continues  to  proteft  induf-9 
try  and  encourage  commerce,  fo  long  they  will  continue  to  ind'cafetfi 
The  new  fcttlements  that  are  forming  in  the  northern  and  weftero^ 
p^rt^  of  the  State,  are  principally  by  people  from  New-England.    It 
is  reiiiaik^ble  tjiat  the  Dutch  cnterp'rife  few  or  no  fettlement8.--r 
Among  all  the  »cw  townfiiips  that  have  been  fettled  fince  the  peace- 
(and  they  have  been  aftonifliingly  numerous)  it  is  not  known  that 
one  has  been  fettled  by  the  Dutch.     Although  they  are  as  "  intent 
upon  gain"  as  other  people,  they  had  rather  reft  ferure  of  wliat  they 
poflefs,  tlian  hazard  all  or.  even  a  part,  in  uncertain  attempts  to  in?     - 
creafe  ir. 

The  Englifli  language  is  generally  fpoken  throughout  the  State,  " 
bn:  ij  not  a  httle  corrupted  by  the  Dutch  dialed,  which  is  ftill  Ipokcn 
infome  counties^  partipularly  in  King's,  Ulftcr,  Albany,  and  that 

part 


Of    NEW-YORK.  ^JS 

of  Orange  \Vhich  lies  fout!h  of  the  mountains.  But  as  Dutch 
ols  are  almofV,  if  not  wholly  dlfcontinued,  that  language,  in  a 
generations,  will  probably  ceafe  to  be  ufed  at  all ;  and  the  in« 
fe  of  £ngli(h  fchools  has  already  had  a  perceptible  tfkSt  in  the 
rovcment  of  the  Englilli  language. 

'he  manners  of  the  people  differ  as  well  as  their  langaage.  The 
:ftors  of  the  inhabitants  in  thefouthern  and  middle  parts  of  Long- 
id  were  either  natives  of  England  or  the  immediate  defcendnnts 
le  firft  fettlers  of  \I^w-England,  and  their  manners  and  cuftoms 
fimilar  to  thofe  of  their  anceftors.  The  counties  inhabited  by 
Dutch  have  adopted  the  Englifti  manners  in  a  great  degree,  but 
retain  many  modes,  particularly  in  their  religion,  which  are  pe- 
ar to  the  Hollanders.  They  are  induftrious,  neat,  and  economi- 
in  the  management  of  their  fiirms  and  their  families.  Whaterer 
ncfs  they  purfue,  they  generally  follow  the  old  track  of  their  forc- 
ers, and  feldora  invent  any  new  improvements  in  agriculture; 
mfa6tures,  or  mechanics.  They  were  the  firft  fettlers  of  this 
:c,  and  were  particularly  friendly  to  the  Englifh  colony  that  fct- 

at  Plymouth  in  New-England,  in  1620;  and  continued  to 
imicably  difpofed  towards  the  Englifti  colonies  eaft  of  them  until 
unhappy  difpute  arofe  concerning  the  lands  on  Connedticu  triver.' 
The  revolution,  and  its  confequences,  have  had  a  very  perceptible 
ueoce  in  diffiiiing  a  fpirit  of  liberality  among  the  Dutch,  and  in 
Jelling  the  clouds  of  ignorance  and  national  prejudice.  School?, 
lemies,  and  colleges,  are  efiabliftied  and  eflabliihing  for  the  edu- 
:>n  of  their  children  in  the  EngliQi  and  learned  languages,  and  in 
Vts  and  fciences,  and  a  literary  and  fcientific  fpirit  is  evidently 
eafing.  If  fuch  are  thebuddings  of  improvement  in  the  dawn  of 
American  empire,  what  a  rich  harveft  may  we  expe^  in  its  me« 
m ! 

he  city  of  New- York  is  inhabited  principally  by  merchant*,  phy- 
^s,  lawyers,  mechanics,  fhopkeepers,  and  tradefmeti  compofed  of 
^ft  all  nations  and  religions.  They  are  generally  refpe^able  in 
*  feveral  profeffions,  and  fuftain  the  reputation  of  honeft,  punc- 

and  fair  dealers, 
he.  manners  and  char  after  of  the  inhabitants  of  every  Colony  or 
i  will  take  their  colouring,  in  a  greater  or  lefs  degree,  from  the 
i]iar  manners  of  the  firll  fettlers.  It  is  much  more  natural  for 
grants  to  a  fettlement  to  adopt  the  cuftoms  of  the  original  inha- 
nts,  than  the  cpntrary,  even  though  the  emigrants  ihould  in 

length 


336  GENERAL   DE$CBIPTtON 

length  of  time  become  the  moft  numerous.  Ifence  it  ]$  iSM  the  mak 
jiefs,  parfimony,  and  induftry  of  the  Dutch,  wpre  earlj  imitated  \f 
the  firft  Englifli  fettlers  in  the  province,  and,  until  the  revolvtia^ 
formed  a  didingufliing  trait  in  their  provincial  charader.  ItisSil 
difcernible,  though  in  a  much  lefs  degree,  and  will  probaWy  contione 
¥ifible  for  many  years  to  come. 

Befides  the  Dutch  and  Fnglifli  alntady  mentioned,  there  are  in  thil 
State  many  emigrants  from  Scotland,  Ireland,  Geraiany,  and  ioat 
few  from  France.  Many  Germans  are  fettleS  on  the  Mohawk,  and 
fome  Scots  people  on  the  Hudfon,  in  the  county  of  Wafhingtoo. 
The  principal  part  of  the  two  former  fettled  in  the  city  of  New-YoA| 
and  retain  the  manners,  the  religion,  and  fome  of  them  the  la&* 
guage  of  their  refpedive  countries.  The  French  emigrants  fettU 
principally  at  New-Rochelle  and  on  Staten  ifland,  and  their  defcetf^ 
ants,  feveral  of  them,  now  fill  fome  of  the  higheft  offices  io  tht 
United  States. 

AGRICULTURE.  MANUFACTURES,  AND  TRADE. 

New- York  is  considerably  behind  her  neighbours  in  New-Englao^ 
New-Jerfey,  and  Fennfyivania,  in  point  of  improvements  in  agri" 
culture  and  manufadtures.  Among  ottier  reafons  for  this  deGdtsaoff 
that  of  want  of  enterprize  in  the  inhabitants  is  not  the  leaft.  Indeed 
their  local  advantages  have  been  fuch  as  that  they  have  grown  rid 
without  enterprife.  Befides,  lands  have  hitherto  been  cheap,  ani 
farms  of  courfe  large;,  and  it  requires  much  lefs  ingenuity  to  raft 
one  thoufand  bufiiels  of  wheat  upon  fixty  acres  of  land,  than  to  nift 
the  fame  quantity  upon  thirty  acres.  So  long,  therefore,  as  theif^ 
mer  in  New- York  can  have  fixty  acres  of  land  to  raife  one  thouftod 
bufiiels  of  wheat,  he  will  never  trouble  bimfelf  to  find  out  how  b^ 
can  raife  the  fame  quantity  upon  half  the  land.  It  is  populatiof^ 
alone  that  (lamps  a  value  upon  lands,  and  lays  a  foundation  fbrhigP^ 
improvements  in  agriculture.  When  a  man  is  obliged  to  maintain^ 
&mily  on  a  finall  farm,  his  invention  is  exercifed  to  find  out  evet)^ 
improvement  that  may  render  it  more  produ^v«.  This  appean  t^ 
be  the  great  reafon  why  the  lands  on  Delaware  andConnedicut  rifCf^ 
produce  the  farmer  twice  as  miich  clear  profit  as  lands  in  eqUB^-- 
quantity  and  of  the  fame  quality  upon  the  Hudfon.  If  the  prcce*-' 
ing  obfervation  be  jufl,  improvemeius  will  keep  pace  with  popuiatioC^ 
4nd  the  increafing  value  of  lands.  Another  ca«4c  which  bsn  htttVh — 
fere  operated  in  preventing  agriduitur«i  i^n^provemoiitt  io  thk  StKc^^ 


tt   KEW-YORlC.  557 

s  been  their  government,  which,  in  the  manner  it  wis  conducted 
til  the  revolution,  was  extremely  uniavourabte  to  improvements  ot 
Doft  every  kind,  and  particularly  in  agriculture.  The  governor! 
lit  many  of  them  land  jobbers,  bent  on  makbg  their  fortuneS| 
d  being  invefted  with  power  to  do  this,  they  either  engrolTed  for 
smfelves,  or  patented  away  to  their  particular  favourites,  a  very 
»t  proportion  of  the  whole  province.  This,  as  has  been  before 
ferved,  proved  an  efFedual  bar  to  population,  and  of  courfe,  ac« 
rding  to  our  prefent  hypothefis,  has  kept  down  the  price  of  lands^ 
d  fo  prevented  improvements  in  agriculture.  It  ought  to  be  ob« 
ved,  in  this  connexion,  that  thefe  over-grown  eftates  could  bt 
Itivated  only  by  the  hands  of  tenants,  who,  having  no  right  in  the 
1,  and  no  certain  profpedt  of  continuing  upon  the  farm  which  they 
Id  at  the  will  of  their  landlord,  had  no  motives  to  make  thofe  ex-* 
nfive  improvements,  which,  though  not  immediately  produ6tive, 
3uld  prove  very  profitable  in  fome  future  period*  The  tenant,  de- 
:ndent  on  his  landlord  for  his  annual  fupport,  confines  his  views 
id  improvements  to  the  prefent  year ;  while  the  independent  free* 
>lder,  fecure  of  his  eftate  for  himfelf  and  his  fucceflbrs,  carries 
8  views  into  futurity,  and  early  lays  the  foundation  for  growing 
iprovement.  But  thefe  obflacles  have  been  removed,  in  a  great 
cafure,  by  the  revolution.  The  genius  of  the  government  of  this 
ate,  however,  ftill  favours  large  monopolies  of  lands,  which  have 
«•  feme  years  back  been  granted  without  regard  either  to  quantity 
'  fettJemeat.  The  fine  fertile  country  of  the  Mohawk,  in  Montgo-* 
^ry  county,  which  was  formerly  poirefled  by  Sir  William  Johnfon^ 
d  other  land  jobbers,  who  were  enemies  to  the  country,  has  been 
•feited  to  the  State,  and  is  now  fplit  up  into  freehold  eftates,  and 
tling  with  allonifliing  rapidity. 

*  he  foregoing  obfervations  will  in  a  great  meafure  account  for  tha 
*^  neglect  of  manufa£tural  improvements,  Mr.  Smith,  in  his 
^^  of  New -York,  more  than  thirty  years  ago,  obferved,  "  It  is 
-H  owing  to  the  difproportion  between  the  number  of  our  inhabit 
^»  and  the  vaft  tra£ts  ftill  remaining  to  be  fettled,  that  we 
^  not  as  yet  entered  upon  fcarcely  any  other  manufedures  than 
^  as  are  indifpenfably  neceflary  for  our  home  convenience."  This 
^  caufe  has  operated  ever  Hnce  in  the  fame  way,  though  not  of  late 
tie  fame  degree. 

^reat  improvements  in  agricuhure  ca;mot  be  expe^ed,  unleft 
y  are  made  by  a  few  individuals  who  have  a  particular  genius  for 
^oL.  U.  X  X  .  that 


f^9  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

ib9l  bufiaeft,  fo  long  at  lands  are  plenty  and  cheap;  andic^^ 
meats  in  manufaduresticver  precede,  but  invariably  follow  k=^^  , 
inents  in  agriculture.  Thefe  ohfervations  apply  more  P*C"3t^^^ 
}o.  tbe  country.  Tlv.  .^'^ity  of  New-York  contains  a  great  nun^ 
people,  who  are  employed  in  various  kinds  of  manufa^uies..  J?^^^^ 
Biaoy  other  articles  maoufa^ured  in  this  city,,  are  wheel  car^  ^ 
ef  all  kinds^  loaf  fugar,  bread,  beer,,  fhoes  and  boots,  ^ddleryi^"^  ^ 
network,  cutlery,  hats,  wool  cards,  clocks,  watches,  potters  ^"**^ 
lirobnellas,  all  kinds  of  mathematical  ^ftid  mufical  inflruments,  i^P^i 
and  every  thing  neceilary  for  their  equipment*  Glafs  workif  ^  J 
^veral  iron  works  have  been  eflabliflied  in  different  parts  o/tisv 
country,  but  they  never  till  lately  have  been  very  pnodudini  W 
owing  fi>lely'to  the  want  of  workmen,  and  the  high  price  of  Labour^  I' 
its  ncceflary  coniequence.  The. internal  refources  and  advantage! 
for  thefe  manuf^^orivs,  fuch  as  ore,  wood,  water^  hearth  fbne,  pro*  I 
per  fituations  for  bloomeries,  forges,  and  all  kinds  of  waterworks,! 
are  immenfe;  There  are  feveiral  paper  mills  in  the  State,  which  are 
worked  to  advantage.  The  nnanufaiflure  of  maple  fugar^  within  % 
few  years  paft,  has  become  an  objed  of  great  importance.  As  many 
ms  tturee  hundred  chcfls  of  four  hundred  pounds  each^were  made  ii 
the  thinly  inhabited  county  of  Otfego,  in  the  year  1791  j  befideslaiip 
quantities,  Sufficient  for  home  confumption,'  in  other  newIy-fettM 
parts  of  the  State. 

The  iituation  of  New-York,  with  refped  to  foreign  markets,  has 
decidedly  the  preference  to  any  of  the  States.  It  has,  at  all  feafoaa 
of  the  year,  a  fhort  and  eafy  accefs  tathe  ocean.  We  have  already 
mentioned  that  it  commands  the  trade  of  a  great  proportion  of  tbe 
beft  fettled  and  befl  cuhivated  parts  of  the  United  States.  New-YoA 
has  not  been  unmindful  of  her  fuperior  local  advantages,  but  hat 
availed  herfelf  of  them  to  their  fiill  extent. 

:  Their  exports  to  the  Wefl-Indies  are,  bifcuit,  peas,  Indian  conii 
apples,  onions,  boards,  Aaves^  horfes,.  (heep,, butter,  cheefe,  pickled 
cyders,  beef  and  pork.  But  wheat  is  the  ftaple  commodity  of  the 
State,  of  which  no  le&  than  £x  hundred  and  feventy-feven  thoufiuul 
fevcn  hundred  bjiflieis  were  exported  in  the  year  J77S»  be&des  twc 
thoufand  five  himded  afut^ftj-five  tons  of  bread,,  and  t#o  thoufan^ 
eight  hundred  and  twepty-eight  tpns  of  flour.  Infpedora  of  flouf 
are  appointed  to  prevent  impofitions,  and  fee  that  none  is  exporte4 
but  that  which  is  deemed  by  them  merchantable.  Weft-India  ^oods 
Ve  xeceived  injetuTQ.  fys.  thefe  articles^    Brfiites  tlifi  js^ve  saoh 

J  ...  tioicd 


OF    NEW-YORK.       ''  339 

wldes,  are  exported  flax-feed,  cotton  wool,  farfapaiilla,  cof* 

Sp,  rice,  pig  iron,  bar  iron,  pot  afh,  pearl  aih,  furs,  deef 

S«>wood,  fuilic,   mahogany,  bees-wax,   oil,   Madeira  wiiiV, 

^^>  pitch,  turpentine,  whale  fins,  fifli,  fugars,  molafles,  ^t, 

S  lard,  &c.  but  mod  of  thefe  articles  are  imported  for  re-ex- 

^on.    The  trade  of  this  State  has  greatly  increafed  fiiice  the 

Hion,  and  the  balance  is  alraofl  conftantly  in  its  favour.    The 

•^ts  to  foreign  parts,  for  the  year  ending  September  30th,  1791, 

^fiing  principally  of  the  articles  above  enumerated,  amounted  to 

mlllioa  five  hundred  and  fixteen  thdufand  one  hundred  and 

•ety-feven  dollars.     This  State  owned  in  1792  forty-fix  thoufand 

hundred  and  twenty-fix  tons  of  fiiipping,  befides  which  fhe  found 

jployment  for  about  forly  thoufand  tons  of  foreign  vefTcIs.* 

There  are  two  or  three  incorporated  Banks  in  the  city  of  New- 

ork,  befides  a  branch  of  the  national  bank,  and  ooe  has  lately  betn 

labliflied  in  the  city  of  Albany. 

SOCIETIES, 

There  are  very  few  focieties  for  improvement  in  knowledge  or 
humanity  in  this  State;  and  thefe  few  are  in  the  city  of  New- York. 
The  firfl  is,  "  The  focicty  for  promoting  ufeful  knowledge."  Thii 
Ibciety  is  upon  an  efiablifliment  fimilar  to  other  philofophical  foci- 
eties in  Europe  and  America,  but  it  is  not  incorporated.  The  mem« 
bers  meet  once  a  month.  Secondly,  "  The  fociety  for  the  manu- 
cnifiion  of  flaves  and  prote<Eling  fuch  of  them  as  have  been  or  may  be 
liberated."  This  fociety  meets  once  a  quarter.  Both  thefe  focieties 
confifi  of  gentlemen  of  the  firft  chara^er  in  the  city,  and  of  forae  iA 
other  parts  of  the  State.  Befides  thefe  there  is  a  marine  fociety,  a 
fociety  for  the-  relief  of  poor  debtors  confined  in  gaol,  a  manufac- 
turing fociety,  an  agricultural  fociety  lately  eftablifhed,  of  which 
the  members  of  the  legiflature  are  €x  ^fficlis  members,  and  a  n^edica' 
fociety. 

On  the  22d  of  May,  1794,  a  fociety  was  inftituted  at  New-Ypr! 
for  the  purpofe  of  "  affording  information  and  affiftance  to  perfo 
emigrating  from  foreign  countries."    The  following  refolutions  a 
ronftitution  will  fully  explain  the  hudable  objefts  of  this  Society. 

*  The  great  incrcafc  of  American  commcroe  muft  have  made  a  vfcry  condde 
iddiiioa  to  the  (hipping  of  this  city  fincethe  above  period. 

X  X  » 


340         ,         '    GENERAL   DESCRIPTION 

^Ata  refpeHahU  meetings  held  in  the  city  0/Ne=iV'fori9f0r  the  p«rf^ 
cf  conjidning  ti  the  propriety  of^AbliJhing  a  fociety  for  the  vsfvrm^ 
Hon  and  aj/iftanci  ofperfons  emigrating  from  foreign  countries^ 

**  It  was  unanimoufly  rcfolvcd,  that  from  the  great  increafc  of  cmi» 
p-ation  from  Europe  to  the  United  States,  it  is  highly  expedient  to 
form  fuch  an  inftitution. 

**  In  conformity  to  the  above  refohition,  a  fociety  was  inftitutcd 
on  the  a2d  of  May,  1794.  The  following  is  the  plan  of  their  coo- 
iHtution. 

**  Whereas,  from  the  oppreflions  of  many  of  the  gevcmments  of 
Europe,  and  the  public  calamities  likely  to  cnfue,  perfons  of  various 
defcriptions  are  emigrating  to  the  United  States  of  America  for  pro- 
tection and  fafety :  And 

"  Whereas  emigrants,  upon  their  firft  arrival  in  thefe  States,  fi^ 
<]uently  fuftain  inconveniencies  in  confequence  of  their  being  unac* 
quainted  with  the  manners  and  cuftoms  of  the  country,  and  tbc 
inofl  eligible  mode  of  e{labli(hin§  themfelves  in  their  feveral  pro- 
fcflions : 

"  We,  the  Aibfcribers,  agree  to  form  ourfelves  into  a  fociety,  fo^ 
the  purpofe  of  affording  information  and  encouragement  to  perfons  of 
the  above  defcription:  And  for  the  better  effeding  thefe  objcfl% 
gdopt  the  following 

CONSTITUTION  ? 

♦*  This  fociety  fliall  be  known  and  diftinguiflied  by  the  name  an4 
defcription  of  *'  The  New-York  fociety  for  the  information  and 
♦jfliftance  ofperfons  emigrating  from  foreign  countries.*' 

♦*  2.  The  fociety  fliall  meet  regularly  the  firft  Thurfday  in  evcrjr 
jnonth,  or  pftener  if  neceffary,  at  fuch  time  and  place  as  they  may 
fippoint, 

♦'  3,  No  perfon  fli^U  be  admitted  into  this  fociety  but  upon  the  re? 
commendation  of  two  Members,  and  with  the  confept  of  ^  majority, 
Xo  be  taken  by  ballot  at  the  meeting  of  the  fociety  immediately  fuc« 
feeding  that  at  which  fuch  perfon  fball  have  been  propofed. 

♦*  4.  The  officers  of  this  fpciety  fliall  confift  of  ^i  prefident,  vice- 
prefidept,  treafurer,  fecretar}-,  and  a  committee  of  conference  and  cor* 
refpondence,  to  be  elected  by  ballot  every  fix  months. 

♦^  5.  The  committee  pf  conference  and  correfpondence  fliall  copfitt 
Uf  feveji  ?penibers,  of  whom  the  fecretary  for  the  time  being  fhallbc 

4  9m 


OF    NEW-YORK.  34I 

I ;  they  fhall  correfpond  with  individuals  and  public  bodies  for 
imoting  the  objeds  of  this  inftitution ;  and  upon  the  arrival  of  emi- 
ats,  ihall  afford  them  fuch  information  and  affiiVance  as  their  re- 
vive circumftances  may  requirey  and  the  funds  of  the  fociety 
ble  them  to  grant. 

*•  i>.  This  conftitution  (hall  not  be  altered,  except  fuch  alteratloa 
propofed  at  one  meeting,  and  agreed  to  at  the  fucceeding  meeting 
three-fourths  of  the  members  prefent." 

Wm.  Sing,   Prefident, 
L.  Way  LAND,  Secretary. 

LITERATURE. 

Jntil  the  year  1754,  there  was  no  college  in  the  province  of  New* 
rk«  The  flate.  of  literature,  at  that  time,  I  ihall  give  in  the  words 
their  hiftorian  :*  "  Our  fchools  are  in  the  loweft  order  ;  the  in* 
tutors  want  inftru<^ion,  and  through  a  long  and  ihameful  negled: 
.11  the  arts  and  fciences,  our  common  fpeech  is  extremely  corrupt^ 
.  the  evidences  of  a  bad  tafle,  both  as  to  thought  and  language, 
vifible  in  all  our  proceedings^  public  and  private."  This  may 
e  been  a  juft  reprefentation  at  the  time  when  it  was  written;  but 
ch  attention  has  fince  been  paid  to  education.  There  are  eight 
>rporated  academies  in  different  parts  of  the  State;  but  many 
ts  of  the  country  are  yet  either  unfurnifhed  with  fchools,  or  the 
ools  which  they  have  are  kept  by  low,  ignorant  men,  which  are 
rfe  than  none  ;  for  children  had  better  remain  in  ignorance  than 
badly  taught.  We  are  happy  to  add,  that  the  legiflature  have  lately 
tronized  collegiate  and  academic  education,  by  granting  a  large 
atuity  to  the  college  and  academies  in  this  State,  which,  in  addition 
their  former  fund?,  renders  their  endowments  handfome,  and  ade- 
ate  to  their  expenditures. 

King's  college,  in  the  city  of  New-York,  was  principally  founded 
the  voluntary  contributions  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  province^ 
ftcd  by  the  General  Affeiiibly,  and  the  corporation  of  Trinity 
wrch;  in  the  year  1754,  a  royal  charter  (and  grant  of  money) 
^g  then  obtained,  incorporating  a  number  of  gentlemen  therein 
^tioned,  by  the  name  of  "  The  Governors  of  the  College  of  the 
^ince  of  New-York,  in  the  City  of  New- York,  in  America ;" 
granting  to  them  and  their  fucccffors  for  ever,  amongfl 
ous    other  rights    and   privileges,    the    power   of   conferring 

f  §m}tV$  Hiftory  of  New- York, 


34*  GENfeRAL    DESCRIPTION 

sill  fuch  degrees  as  are  ufuail/  conferred  by  either  of  the  £0!% 
vniverfities. 

By  the  charter  it  was  provided  that  the  prefident  ihall  always  be  a 
member  of  tlie  church  of  England,  and  that  a  form  of  prayer  coljeftcd 
from  the  liturgy  of  that  church,  with  a  particular  prayer  for  the  col- 
lege, (liall  be  daily  ufed,  morning  and  evening,  in  the  college 
chapel;  at  the  fame  time,  no  teft  of  their  re'igioHs  perfuafionwM 
required  from  any  of  the  fellows,  profeiFors,  or  tutors ;  and  thif 
advanfages  of  education  were  equally  extended  to  fludencs  of  all  de- 
nominations. 

The  building,  which  is  only  One  third  of  the  intended  ftrutoe, 
confids  of  an  elegant  flone  edifice,  three  complete  ftories  high, 
with  four  fteir  cafes,  twelve  apartments  m  each,  a  cliapel,  hallf 
Xbrary,  mufeuni)  anatomical  theatre,  «nd  fchoot  for  ^xperiEneotal 
pililofophy* 

The  college  is  fitnated  on  a  dry  gravelly  foil,  about '  one  hutiArf 
and  fifty  yards  from  the  bank  of  Hudfon's  river,  which  it  overloofej' 
commanding  a  moft  extenfive  and  beautiful  profpeft. 

Since  the  revolution,  the  legiilature  paffed  an  aft  coaftitntlBj 
twcnfy-one  gentlemen,  of  whom  the  governor  and  licntenaBt-go- 
^mor  for  the  time  being  are  members  ex  officiis^  a  body  corpor* 
and  politic,  by  the  naqfie  of  "  The  regents  of  the  univerfity  rf  tl« 
State  of  New-York."  They  arc  entrnfted  with  the  care  of  litcrattft 
to  general  in  the  State,  and  have  power  to  grant  charters  of  inctMrpo- 
Nation  for  erefling  colleges  and  academies  throughout  the  State,  thflT 
arc  to  vi-fit  thefc  inftitutions  as  often  as  they  (hall  think  proper,  aii« 
report  their  ftate  to  the  legiflature  once  a  year. 

King's  coHege,  which  we  have  already  dcfcribed,  is  now  d&C^ 
Columbia  Collegs.  This  college,  by  an  a6t  of  the  legifiatDC* 
palTed  in  the  fpring  of  1787^  was  put  under  the  care  of  twent}'-foi 
gentlemen,  who  are  a  body  corporate,  by  the  name  and  ftylc 
"  The  Truftces  of  Columbia  College  in  the  ciry  of  New-York. 
This  body  pofTefs  all  the  powers  veiled  in  the  governors  of  King^ 
eollege  befo!*c  the  revolution,  or  in  the  regents  of  the  univerfi' 
Snce  the  revolution,  fo  far  as  their  power  refpe<9:ed  this  inftitutio^^ 
No  regent  can  be  a  truftee  of  any  particular  college  or  academy  intfcsa» 
State.  The  regents  of  the  univerfity  have  power  to  confer  tl^^ 
higher  degrees,  and  them  only. 

The  college  cdilice  has  received  no  additions  fmce  the  peace.  The 
funds,  exclufive  of  \\\t  liberal  grant  of  the  legiflature,  amount  tobc- 


OF    NEW-YORK»  54J 

3en  twelve >nd  thirteen  thoufaixi  pounds  currency,  the  income  of, 
fch  18  fufficient  for  prefent  Exigencies. 

This  college  is  now  in  a  thriving  ftace,  apd  has  about  one  hundred 
dents  in  the  four  claifes,  beiidcs  medical  ftudents.  The  officers  of 
tru^on  tfnd  immediate  government  are  a  prefident,  profeiTor  of 
ithetBatics  and  natural  philofophy,  a  profeflbr  of  logic  and  geogra* 
y,  and  a  profeilbr  of  languages.  A  complete  medical  fchool  ha( 
en  lately  annexed  to  the  college,  and  able  profeflbn  appointed  bjr 
^  truilees  in  every  branch  of  that  important  fcience,  who  regularly 
ich  their  refpe&ive  branches  with  reputation.  The  number  of 
^ical  fludents  is  about  fifcy,  but  they  are  increaling.  The  library 
d  muiieum  were  deilroyed  during  the  war.  The  philofophical 
paratus  is  new  and  complete.  r. 

Of  the  eight  incorporated  academies,  one  is  at  Flatbufli,  in  Kiog'f 
HQty,  on  Long-Iiland,  four  miles  from  Brooklyn-ferry.  It  is 
uated  in  a  pleafant»  healthy  village.  The  building  is  large^ 
indfome,  and  convenient,  and  is  called  Erafmus  Hall.  The  aca?* 
»By  i?  flourifhing  under  the  care  of  a  principal  and  other  fubordi* 
ite  inflrudors. 

There  is  another  at  £a&  Hampton,  on  the  eaft  end  of  Long- 
hnd,  by  the  name  of  Cli-kton  Academy;  The  others  are  ia 
iferent  parts  of  the  State.  Beiides  thefe  there  are  fchools  eftabliihed 
td  maintained  by  the  voluntary  contributions  of  the  parents.  A 
^t  for  literaiy  improvement  is  evidently  difiufing  its  influencs 

foughout  the  State. 

« 

CONSTITUTION. 

a 

^itutlmi  vf  th  State  cf^cFW-Tork^  efiaUiJbtdhy  the  Convention^ 
authorifed  and  empowered  for  that  Purpofe^  April  aO|   17  77* 

^«  This  Convention,  in  the  name  and  by  the  authority  of  the 

^4  people  of  this  State,  doth  ordain^  determine,  and  declare,  that 

^iXithority  fliall,  on  any  pretence  whatever,  be  exercifed  over  the 

^pl6  or  members  of  this  State,  but  fuch  as  fliiall  be  derived  from  and 

^nted  by  them. 

ll.  This  Convention  doth  further,  in  the  name  and  by  the  autho- 

ty  of  the  good  people  6f  this  State,  ordain,  determine,  and  declare, 

lat  the  fupreme  legiflative  power,  within  this  State,  fliall  be  vefted 

I  two  feparate  and  dlfliiid  bodies  of  men ;  the  one  to  be  called, 

■       '  •  •  :  •         •  #j«jjg 


344  GEN£RAL   DESCRIPTION 

The  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New-York;  theotbertote 
called^  The  Senate  of  the  State  of  New-York  ;  who,  together, 
ihall  form  the  legiflature,  and  meet  once  at  leaft  ia  every  year  for 
the  dtfpatch  of  bufinefs. 

IlL  And  wliereas  laws  inconllflent  with  the  fpirit  of  this  ConiHtu« 
tion,  or  with  the  public  good,  may  be  haftily  and  unadvifedly  paM 
ht  it  ordained,  that  the  governor  for  the  time  being,  the  chancellor, 
znd  the  judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  or  any  two  of  them,  together 
with  the  governor,  dial  I  be,  and  hereby  are  conftituted  acouDcil 
to  revife  all  bills  about  to  be  palTed  into  laws  by  the  legiilature; 
and  for  that  purpofe  fhall  aiTemble  themfelves,  from  time  to 
time,  when  the  legiflature  fhall  be  convened;  for  which,  nevertb^ 
lefs,  they  fliall  not  receive  any  falary  or  confideration,  under  any  pre-  |\ 
|ence  whatever*  And  that  all  bills  which  have  paiTed  in  the  Senate 
and  Aflembly,  fliall,  before  they  become  laws,  be  prefented  to  tbc 
iaid  council  for  their  revifal  arvi  confideration  ;  and  if  upon  fucb  re* 
vifal  and  confideration,  it  fhould  appear  improper  to  the  faid  couflcilf 
or  a  majority  of  them,  that  the  faid  bill  fhould  become  a  law  of  thii 
State,  .  that  they  return  the  fame,  together  with  their  objedioos 
thereto  in  writing,  to  the  Senate  or  Houfe  of  Aflembly,  in  whid 
ibever  the  fame  fliall  have  originated,  who  fhaU  enter  the  objedioDi 
fent  down  by  the  council  at  large  in  their  minutes,  and  pro^ 
to  re-confider  the  faid  bill.  But  if  after  fuch  re-confider^ion,  two- 
thirds  of  the  faid  Senate  or  Houfe  of  Aflembly  fhall,  notwithflaadioi 
the  faid  objedions,  agree  to  pafs  the  fame,  it  fhall,  together  witbtbt 
obje6lions,  be  fent  to  the  other  branch  of  the  legiflature,  where  it 
fliall  alio  be  re-confidered,  and  if  approved  by  two-thirds  of  thcmqiO' 
bers  prefenr,  fliall  be  a  law. 

And  in  order  to  prevent  any  unnecefTaiy  delays,  be  it  farther  or- 
dained, that  if  any  bill  fliall  not  be  returned  by  the  council  witluJ* 
ten  days  after  it  fliall  have  been  prefented,  the  fame  fliall  be  a  law*- 
iinlefs  the  legiflature  fhall,  by  their  adjournment,  render  a  return  of 
the  faid  bill  within  ten  days  impracticable ;  in  which  cafe  the  bill  fbal^ 
be  returned,  on  the  firfl  day  of  the  meeting  of  the  legiflature,  aftc^ 
the  expiration  of  the  faid  ten  days. 

IV.  That  the  AfTembly  fliall  confifl  of  at  leafl  feventy  memben^ 
to  be  annually  chofen  in  the  feveral  counties,  in  the  proportions  fot«^ 
lowing,  viz. 

The  city  and  county  of  New- York,  «/;i<, 
Tlic  city  and  county  of  Albany,^  teft* 


( » 


OP    NEW-YORK.  345. 

*nie  county  of  Duchcfs,  fevetin 

The  county  of  Weft  Chcftcr,  fix. 

The  county  of  Ulfter,  fix* 

The  county  of  Suffolk,  five. 

The  county  of  Queen's,  four. 

The  county  of  Orange,  f^ur.. 

The  county  of  King's,  tnuo. 

The  county  of  Richmond,  Ifw. 

The  county  of  Tryon,  fix. 

The  county  of  Chariotte,  four. 

The  county  -of  Cumberland,  three. 

The  county  of  Gloucefter,  two. 
.  That  as  foon  after  the  expiration  of  feven  years  fubfequent  to  tii^ 
lihation  of  the'  prefent  war  a€  may  be,  a  cenfus  of  the  elcftorf 
inhabitants  in  this  State  'be  taken,  under  the  direction  of  the  le« 
iture.  And  if  on  fuch  cenfus  it  fliaH'appear  that  the  number  of  re- 
entatives  in  AlTembly  from  the  faid  counties,  is  not  juftly  propor- 
ed  to  the  number  of  eledors  in  the  faid  counties  refpcdively, 
thclegiflature  do  adjuft  and  apportion  the  fame  by  that  rule.  And 
bcr,  that  once  in  every  feven  years  after  the  taking  of  the  j&id 
cenfus,  a  juft  account  of  the  electors  refident  in  jcach  county 
I  be  taken ;  and  if  it  fhall  thereupon  appear  that  the  number  of 
tors  in  any  county  (hall  hav«  increafcd  or  diminifked  one  or  morf 
Qtieth  parts  of  the  whbfc  number  of  eleftors  which  on  the  ioid 
cenfus  ihall  be  found  in  this  State,  the  number  of  reprefen* 
es  for  fuch  county  fliall  be  increafed  or  diminiihed  accor* 
ly,  that  is  to  fay,  one  reprefentative  for  every  feventieth  part  at 
;faid. 

L  And  whereas  an  opinion  hath  long  prevailed  among  divers  of 
good  people  of  this  State,  that  voting  at  eleSions  by  balloC 
Id  tend  more  to  preferve  the  liberty  and  equal  freedom  of  the 
>le  than  voting  vivdvoce :  to  the  end,  therefore,  that  a  fair  ex* 
ment  be  made,  which  of  thofe  two  methods  of  voting  is  to  be 
erred, 

J  it  ordained,  that  as  foon  as  may  be  after  the  terminatioa  of  the 
.'nt  war  between  the  United  States  of  America  and  Great  Britain* 
i  or  a^s  be  paiTed  by  the  legiflatnte  of  this  State,  for  caufing  all 
ions  thereafter  to  be  held  in  this  State,  for  fenators  and  repre* 
.tSves  in  Affembly,  to  be  by  ballot,  and  directing  the  manner  in 
h  the  iame  fliall  be  conducted.  And  whereas  it  is  pofible^  that 
auJL  Yy  aftec 


g^6  GENEIAL   DESCRIPTION 

after  all  the  care  of  the  legiilature  in  framing  the  iaid  2&  orift8,ceN 
tain  inconveniencies  and  mifchiefs,  unfbrefeen  at  this  day»  maybft 
found  (o  attend  the  faid  mode  of  eleding  by  ballot^ 

It  is  farther  ordained,  that  if  after  a  fuU  and  fair  experimeiit  duillto 
made  of  voting  by  ballot  aforefaid,  the  iame  ihaU  be  foiled  le&.coo- 
ducive  to  the  fafety  or  intereft  of  the  Sute  than  the  method  of  votiog 
nfivdvocff  it  ihall  be  lawful  and  oonftitutional  for  the  legiflature  to 
abolifh  the  fame :  provided  two-thirds  of  the  members  prefent  in  each 
houfc  refpectively  (hall  concur  therein :   and  fi;irther»  that  during 
the  continuance  of  the  prefent  war,    and  until  the  legiilature  of 
this  State  (hall  provide  for  the  eledion  of  fenators  and  reprefea" 
tatives  in  AiTembly  by  ballot,  the  iaid  ele^ions  ihsdl  be  made  vki 
vice. 

VII.  That  every  male  inhabitant  of  full  age,  who  ihall  have  peri 
fonally  refided  within  one  of  the  counties  of  this  State^  •  for  fix  monthi 
immediately  preceding  the  day  of  elc^Hon,  fhall,  at  fuchele^ion,  be 
entitled  to  vote  for  reprefentatives  of  the  faid  county  in  Aflembly,  i^ 
during  the  time  aforelaid,  he  (hall  have  been  a  freeholder  pofleffing  a 
freehold  of  the  value  of  twenty  pounds,  within  the  {aid  county,  09 
have  rented  a  tenement  therein  of  the  yearly  value  of  forty^  (luiling^ 
and  been  rated  and  a6tually  paid  taxes  to  this  State :  proidde4 
always,  that  every  perfon  who  now  is  a  freeman  of  the  city  of  Al- 
bany, or  who  was  made  a  freeman  of  the  city  of  New-York,  on  oc 
before  the  fourteenth  day  of  October,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  ope 
thoufand  feven  hundred  and  feventy-five,  and  (hall  be  ai^ually  aod 
ufually  reiident  in  the  (aid  cities  refpedively,  (hall  be  entitled  tft 
vote  for  reprefentatives  in  Aflembly  within  his  (aid  pl^e  of  rcfi-. 
dence, 

VIII.  That  every  eleflor,  before  be  is  admitted  to  vote*  (hall,  if 
required  by  the  returning  officer,  or  either  of  the  infpeftprs,  take  aa 
oath,  or,  if  of  the  people  called  Quakers,  an  afl^rmation  qf  ^egiancc 
to  the  J-.tate. 

IX.  That  the  AfTembly  thus  conftituted  (hall  choof^  thdr  own 
fpcaker,  be  judges  of  their  own  members,  and  enjoy  the  fame  privi- 
legt:s,  and  ^jroceed  in  doing  bufinels  in  like  manner  as  the  AflepiUiei 
of  the  colony  of  New-York  ot  right  formerly  did  5  and  that  a  majoritjr 
of  the '..id  mc a > hers  (hall,  from  tiine  to  time,  ppni^itute  9  hqo^  t9 
proceed  upon  bufinefs* 

X.  '  ^.d  this  Convention  doth  farther,  in  the  name  and  by  the  aut 
tbority  of  the  good  people  of  this  State^  prdaiui  (^(e^-^^io^  aad  d$t 


1 


<tefre,  Aat  Ac  ifenatc  6f  the  Stale  of  New-York  fliall  confift  of 
^enty-four  freeholders,  to  be  chofen  out  of  the  body  of  the  free- 
holder*, and  that  they  be  chofen  by  the  freeholders  of  this  State  pof- 
^cfled  of  freehokls  of  th6  value  of  one  hundred  pounds  over  and 
^bave  all  debts  charged  thereon, 

XL  That  the  rticmbers  of  the  fenate  be  ele6ted  for  four  years; 

and  immediately  after  th^  firft  ele6lion,  they  be  divided  by  lot  into 

four  claiies,  fix  in  each  clafs,  and  numbered  one,  two,  three  and 

four ;  that  the  feats  of  the  members  of  the  firfl  clafs  fhall  be  vacated 

at  the  txpiratioA  of  the  firft  year,  the  fecond  clafs  the  fccond  year^ 

and  fo  on  continiially ;  to  the  end  that  the  fourth  part  of  the  fenate^ 

as  nearly  as  pofGble,  may  h6  annually  chofen, 

XIL  That  the  election  of  fenators  fhall  be  after  this  manner  :  that 

To  much  of  this  State  as  is  now  parcelled  into  counties,  be  divided 

into  four  great  diftrids  $  the  fouthern  diftri^t  to  comprehend  the  city  and 

bounty  of  New- York,  SufFolkj  Weft-Chefter,  King's^  Queen's,  and 

{(.ichmond  counties  ;  the  middle  diftri^t  to  comprehend  the  counties 

t>f  Duchefs^  Ulfler  and  Orange ;  the  weftern  diflridtj  the  city  and 

^county  of  Albany,  and  Tryon  county ;  and  the  eaftern  diftrid,  the 

i^tinties  of  Charlotte,  Cumberland,  and  Gloucefter.    That  the  fc-» 

Viators  fliAll  be  elefted  by  the  freeholders  of  the  faid  diftrifts,  qualii 

lied  as  aforefaid,  in  the  proportions  following,  to  wit,  in  the  jfouthcm 

xli(lri6t  nine,  in  the  middle  diftridt  fix,  in  the  weftern  diftridt  fix^ 

iind  in  the  eaftern  diftri(5t  three.    And  be  it  ordained,  that  a  cehfuft 

Riall  be  taken  as  foon  as  may  be  after  the  expiration  of  feveti  years 

from  the  terihination  of  the  pi'efent  war,  under  the  direction  of  the 

legiflature :  aiid  if  oil  fuch  cenfds  it  fliall  appear^  that  the  nuoibei^ 

of  fenators  is  not  juftly  propoirtioned  to  the  feveral  diftri6ts^  that 

the  legiflature  adjuft  the  pft>portioti  as  ne^r  as  may  be  to  the  num« 

ber  of  freeholders,  qualified  as  aforefaid  in  each  diftridt.    That  vVheci 

the  ilumber  of  electors  within  ady  of  the  faid  diftri£ts  fhall  hay# 

increafed  one  twenty-fburth  part  of  the  whok  number  of  ele^tdrs^ 

^vhich,  by  the  faid  ceiifus,  fliall  be  found  to  be  in  this  State,  an  ad«  ^ 

ditional  fenator  fliall  be  chofen  by  the  dehors  of  fuch  diftfidta   That 

A  majority  of  the  number  of  fenators  to  be  chofen  as  aforefaid  fliall 

be  neceffary  to  conftitute  a  fenate  fufficient  to  proceed  updti  bufinefs^ 

^nd  that  the  fenate  fhall^  iri  like  mantier  with  the  AfTembly^  be  th0 

judges  of  its  own  members.    And  be  it  ordained^  that  it  fhall  Ijc  in  the 

power  of  the  future  legiflatures  of  this  State,  for  the  convenience* 

and  advantage  of  the  good  people  thereof,  to  divide  the  fame  intd 

Y  f  n  iu«h 


34^  GENERAL   DESCRIFTIOIT 

fuch  farther  and  other  counties  and  di(lri6b,  as  Ihdl  to  tfiem  appeal 
neceflary. 

XIII.  And  this  convention  doth  farther,  in  the  name  and  by  the 
authority  of  the  good  people  of  this  State,  ordain,  determine,  and 
declare,  that  no  member  of  this  State  ihall  be  disfranchifcd,  or  de- 
prived of  any  of  the  rights  or  privileges  fecured  to  the  fubjefts  of 
this  State  by  this  conftitution,  unlefs  by  the  law  of  the  land,  or  tin 
judgement  of  his  peers. 

XIV.  That  neither  the  Aflembly  nor  the  fenatc  fhaU  have  power 
to  adjourn  therafelves  for  any  longer  time  than  two  days,  without 
the  mutual  confent  of  both. 

XV.  That  whenever  the  Aflembly  and  fenate  difagree,  a  conference 
ihall  be  held  in  the  prefence  of  both,  and  be  managed  by  commit* 
tees  to  be  by  them  refpe^lively  chofen  by  ballot.  Tliat  the  doors  bolk 
of  the  fenate  and  Aflembly  ihall  at  all  times  be  kept  open  to  all  per* 
fons,  except  when  the  welfare  of  the  State  fliall  require  their  de- 
bates to  be  kept  fecret.  And  tlie  journals  of  all  their  proceeding! 
iliall  be  kept  in  the  manner  heretofore  accuflomed  by  the  General 
Aflembly  of  the  colony  of  New-York,  and  except  fuch  parts  as  they 
/hall,  as  aforefaid,  refpedtively  determine  not  to  make  public,  bi 
from  day  to  day  (if  the  bufinefs  of  the  legiflature  will  permit)  pub- 
liflied. 

XVI.  It  is  neverthelefs  provided,  that  the  iramber  of  fenatori 
ihall  never  exceed  one  hundred,  nor  the  number  of  AflTembly  three 
hundred ;  but  that  whenever  the  number  of  fenators  fliall  amount  to 
one  hundred,  or  of  the  Aflembly  to  three  hundred,  then,  and,  ifl 
fuch  cafe,  the  legiflature  fliall  from  time  to  time  thereafter,  by  lavv9 
for  that  purpofe,  apportion  and  diflribute  the  faid  one  hundred  fe* 
xiators,  and  three  hundred  reprefentatives,  among  the  great  diftrids 
and  counties  of  this  State,  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  their  re- 
fpeAive  electors ;  fo  that  the  reprefentation  of  the  good  people  of 
this  State,  both  in  the  Senate  and  AlTembly,  fhall  for  ever  remain 
proportionate  and  adequate. 

XVIJ.  And  this  convention  doth  farther,  in  the  name  and  by  the 
authority  of  the  good  people  of  this  State,  ordain,  determine  and 
declare,  that  the  fupreme  executive  power  and  authority  of  this  State 
ihall  be  vefted  in  a  governor ;  and  that  flatedly,  once  in  every  three 
years,"  and  as  often  as  the  feat  of  government  (hall  become  vacant,  s 
wife  and  difcreet  freeholder  of  this  State  Ihall  be  by  ballot  cle^^cd 
governor  by  the  freeholders  of  this  State,  qualified  as  before  deioibed 

i0 


^'ietlAtors';  which  ele^ions  fliall  be  always  held  AtTlh^  toe# 
laces  of  chuiing  reprefentatives  in  Aflembly  for  each  refpe^tiwfr 
y ;  and  that  the  perfon  who  hath  the  greateft  number  of  vQtem 
1  the  fatd  btat^  fhall  be  governor  thereof. 
111.  That  the  governor  (kail  continue  in  ofSce  tlireey^n^ 
lall)  by  virtue  of  his  ofHcet  be  general  and  commander  in  chief 
the  militia,  and  admiral  of  the  navy  of  this  State;  that  be  ftialL 
power  to  convene  the  Aflembly  and  ienate  on  ejctraordioaiy 
ons,  to  prorogue  them  from  time  to  time,  provided  fuch  ptoro- 
is  ihall  not  exceed  fixty  days  in  the  fpace  of  any  one  year ;  and 
difcretion  to  grant  reprieves  and  pardons  to  pdrfons  conyided  of 
s,  other  than  treafon  or  murder,  in  which  he  may  fufpend  the 
tion  of  the  fentence,  until  it  (hall  be  reported  to  the  Icgiflature 
c'lv  fubfequent  meeting ;  and  they  fliall  either  pardon  or  dire^ 
icecution  of  the  criminal,  or  grant  a  farther  reprieve. 
X.  That  it  fliall  be  the  duty  of  the  governor  to  inform  the  fe- 
ure,  at  every  feflions,  of  the  condition  of  the  StatCi  fo  far  as  may 
5t  his  department ;  to  recommend  fuch  matters  to  their  con- 
ition  as  ihall  appear  to  him  to  concern  its  good  governmeni', 
re  and  profperity ;  to  correfpond  with  the  Continental  Congre& 
Dther  States,  to  tranfa<ft  all  nccelTary  bufinefs  with  the  officers 
vernment,  civil  and  military  ;  and  to  take  care  that  the  laws  arc 
ully  executed  to  the  beft  of  his  ability ;  and  to  expedite  all  fucU 
jres  as  may  be  refolved  upon  by  the  legiflature. 
L  That  a  lieutenant-governor  fhall,  at  every  ek^^ion  of  a  go- 
►r,  and  as  often  as  the  lieutenant-governor  iliall  die,  refign,  or 
amoved  fromt)ffice,  be  elected  in  the  fame  manner  with  the  go- 
►r,  to  continue  in  office  until  the  next  ele<5lion  of  a  governor  ; 
fuch  lieutenant-governor  Ihall,  by  virtue  of  his  office,  be  prefi- 
of  the  fcnate,  and,  upon  an  equal  di vifion,  have  a  cafling  voice 
eir  dccifions,  but  not  vote  on  any  other  occafion. 
id  in  cafe  of  the  impeachment  of  the  governor,  or  his  removal 
office,  death,  refignation,  x)r  abfence  from  the  State,  the  lieu- 
it-governor  fliall  exercife  all  the  power  and  authority  appertaia*- 
:o  the  office  of  governor,  until  another  be  chofen,  or  the  gover- 
abfent  or  impeached,  fliall  returti  or  be  acquitted.    Provide4p 
where  the  governor  fliall,  with  the  confent  of  the  legiflature, 
ut  of  the  State,  in  time  of  war,  at  the  head  of  a  military  force 
iof,  he  fliall  flill  continue  in  his  command  of  all  the  military 
-  of  the  State,  both  by  fea  and  land, 

XXI.  That 


y 


15*  &kN£ftAt  bnsckitTibH 

Jtm.  Hue  wlientiVer  the  government  ihall  be  adminiilediif 
llie  IkutentntAgovernory  or  he  Audi  be  unable  to  attend  as  prefideUt 
tf  the  fenate,  the  fenators  ihall  have  power  to  elc£t  one  of  their  ovrH 
saembers  to  the  oftce  of  prefident  of  the  fenate,  which  he  iha]l  exerde 
fr0  ifOe  vice*  And  if,  during  fuch  vacancy  of  the  office  of  goverDor^ 
the  lieutenant-governor  (hall  be  impeached,  difplaced,  refign,  k^  \ 
CM*  be  abfettt  from  the  Stkte,  the  prefident  of  the  fenate  (ball  in  like 
manner  as  the  Hentenant-govemor)  adminifter  the  government,  nntit 
others  (hall  be  eleded  by  the  I'ufiTage  of  the  people  at  the  fucceediD) 
cledion. 

XXn*  And  this  Convention  doth  fdrthef^  in  the  name  and  by  the 
authority  of  the  good  people  of  this  State,  ordain^  determine  aod 
declare,  that  the  treafurer  of  this  State  fhall  be  appointed  by  ad  of 
the  legiflature,  to  originate  with  the  AiTembly ;  provided,  that  be 
(hail  not  be  elected  out  of  either  branch  of  the  legiflature. 

XXIIIi  That  all  officers,  other  than  thofe  who  by  this  conilitutiott 
are  direded  to  be  other  wife  appointed,  (hall  be  appointed  in  t6t 
manner  following,  to  wit,  the  AfTembly  {liall  once  in  tveryy&i 
openly  nominate  and  appoint  one  of  the  fenators  from  each  great  dif" 
trift,  which  fenators  (hall  form  a  council  for  the  appointment  oiiBi 
fidd  officers,  of  which  the  governor  for  the  time  being,  or  the  lieutenant* 
governor,  or  the  prefident  of  the  fenate,  when  they  (hall  refpe^ivelf 
irdminifter  the  government,  (hall  be  prefident,  and  have  a  caitiD( 
voice,  But  no  other  *oote ;  and  with  the  advice  and  confent  of  the  fa>" 
council  (hall  appoint  all  the  faid  officers ;  and  that  a  majority  of  th< 
(aid  council  be  a  quorum.    And  farther,  the  faid  fenators  (hail  i»< 
be  eli^ble  to  the  faid  council  for  tv^o  years  fucceffively. 

XXtV.  That  all  military  officers  be  appointed  during  pleafur^ 
that  all  commiifioned  officers,  civil  and  military,  be  comniiffioD^ 
by  the  governor ;  and  that  the  chancellor,  the  judges  of  the  fuprei^ 
court,  and  firft  judge  of  the  county  court  in  every  county,  hold  th^ 
offices  during  good  behaviour,  or  until  they  (hall  have  refpeftive 
attained  the  age  of  fixty  years. 

XXV.  That  the  chancellor  and  judges  of  the  fupreme  court  fh^ 
toot  at  the  fame  time  hold  any  other  office,  excepting  that  of  delegai> 
to  the  General  Congrefs  upon  fpecial  occafions ;  and  that  the  fi^ 
judges  of  the  county  courts  in  the  feveral  counties  fliall  not  at  t^ 
fame  time  hold  any  other  office,  excepting  that  of  fenator  or  deleg^ 
to  the  General  Congrefs.     But  if  the  chancellor,  or. either  of  the 


OF    NEW-YORK.  ^^l 

S9  be  elected  or  appointed  to  any  other  office,  exeeptmg  aa  il 
:  excepted,  it  flialL  be  at  his  option  in  which  to  ferve. 
IVI,  That  fherififs  and  coroners  be  annually  appointed ;  and 
no  peribn  (hall  be  capable  of  holding  either  of  the  faid  offices 
than  four  years  fucceffively,  nor  the  (heriff  of  holding  any 
office  at  the  fame  time. 

[VII.  And  be  it  further  ordained,  that  the  regifter  and  clerks  ii| 
ery  be  appointed  by  the  chancellor ;  the  clerks  of  the  fuprem^ 
by  the  judges  of  the  faid  court ;  the  clerk  of  the  court  of 
tes  by  the  judge  of  the  faid  court ;  and*  the  regiiler  and  marAial 
B  court  of  admiralty  by  the  judge  of  the  admiralty  5  the  faid 
lal,  regifters  and  clerks,  to  continue  in  office  during  the  pleafyr^ 
)fe  by  whom  they  are  to  be  appointed  as  aforefaid. 
id  that  all  attomies,  folicitors  and  counfellors  at  law,  hereafter 
appointedi  be  appointed  by  the  coiut,  and  liceqfcd  by  the  firfl- 
;  of  the  court  tn  which  they  ihall  refpedlively  plead  or  pra£tife; 
e  regulated  by  the  rules  and  orders  of  the  faid  courts* 
CVIIl.  And  be  it  farther  ordaiqedf  that  where  by  this  Conven* 
the  duration  of  any  office  ihall  not  be  afcertained,  fuch  office 
be  conftnied  to  be  held  during  the  pleafure  of  the  council  of 
ntment:  provided,  that  new  commiffions  (hall  be  iffiied  to 
is  of  the  county  courts  (other  than  to  the  firft  judge)  and  to 
es  of  the  peace,  once  at  the  leafi  in  ever}*  three  years. 
CIX.  That  town«clerks,  fupervifors,  afTeflbrs,  conftables  and 
iiors,  and  all  other  officers  heretofore  eligible  by  the  people, 
always  continue  to  be  fo  eligible,  in  the  m^ner  directed  by  the 
nt  or  future  a£ts  of  legiflature. 

lat  loan  officers,  county  treafurers,  and  clerks  of  the  fupervi? 
continue  to  be  appointed  in  the  manner  direded  by  the  prefent 
ture  a6bs  of  the  legiflature. 

iCX.  That  delegates  to  reprefent  this  State  in  the  General  Con* 
of  the  United  States  of  America  be  atinually  appointed  as  foU 
,  to  wit,  the  Senate  and  AfTembly  fhall  each  openly  noDOinate 
any  perfons  as  fhall  be  equal  to  the  whole  number  of  delegates 
i  appointed  ;  after  which  nomination  they  fliall  meet  together, 
thofe  perfons  named  in  both  lifls  fhall  be  delegates ;  and  put  of 
perfons  whofe  names  are  not  in  both  lifb,  one  half  fhall  be 
ci-  by  the  joint  ballot  of  the  fenators  and  members  of  AfTembly 
t  tQ^ether  as  aforef^^jd, 

JfXXI.  That 


25«  GENERAL  DESCRIPTION 

XXXI.  That  the  ftylc  of  all  laws  fhall  be  as  follows,  to  wit,  «le 
it  enaded  by  the  people  of  the  State  of  New- York,  reprefentedia 
Senate  and  Aflembly."  And  that  all  writs  and  other  procecdinp 
fhall  run  in  the  name  of  "  the  People  of  the  State  of  New-York,** 
and  be  atteflcd  in  the  name  of  the  chancellor  or  chfef  judge  of  the 
court  from  whence  they  fliall  iilue. 

XXXII.  And  this  Convention  doth  farther,  in  the  name  and  by 
the  authority  of  the  good  people  of  this  State,  ordain,  dcterraiDC 
and  declare,  that  a  court  fhall  be  inflitutcd  for  the  trial  of  impeach- 
inents,  and  the  corrciStion  of  errors,  under  the  regulations  which  ihaB 
l)c  eflablifhed  by  the  Jegiflature;  and  to  confift  of  the  prefidentof 
the  fenate  for  the  time  being,  and  the  fenators,  chancellor  and  judges 
of  the  fupreme  court,  or  the  major  part  of  them ;  except,  that 
when  an  hnpeachment  iliall  be  profecuted  againft  the  chancellor,  or 
cither  of  the  judges  of  the  fupreme  court,  the  perfon  fo  impeached 
ihall  be  fufpended  from  exerciling  his  office  until  his  acquittal :  and 
in  like  manner,  when  an  appeal  from  a  decree  in  equity  fhall  W 
heard,  the  chancellor  fhall  inform  the  court  of'  the  reafens  of  hii 
decree,  but  fliall  not  have  a  voice  in  the  final  fentencc.  Arid  if  dp 
caufc  to  be  determined  fhall  be  brought  up  by  writ  of  error  on  i 
queflion  of  law,  on  a  judgment  in  the  fa prcme  court,  the  judges  of 
that  court  fliall  affign  the  reafons  of  fuch  their  judgment,  but  fhall 
pot  have  a  voice  for  its  affirmance  or  reverfal. 

XXXIII.  That  the  power  of  impeaching  all  officers  of  the  StattJ 
for  mal  and  corrupt  condud  in  their  refpeftive  offices,  be  Ycfted  id 
the  reprefentatives  of  the  peopk  in  Aifembly ;  but  that  it  fhall  always 
be  neceUary  that  two-third  parts  of  the  members  prefent  fhall  confcflt 
to  and  agree  in  fuch  impeachment.  That  previous  to  the  trial  of  every 
impeachment,  the  members  of  the  faid  court  fliall  refpedively  be 
fwom,  truly  and  impartially  to  try  and  determine  the  charge  in  qurf 
tion  according  to  evidence  ;  and  that  no  judgment  of  the  faid  court 
fhall  be  valid,  unlcfs  it  be  affented  to  by  two-third  parts  of  the  meui' 
bers  then  prefent ;  nor  fliall  it  extend  farther  than  to  removal  fron* 
office,  and  difqualification  to  hold  and  enjoy  any  place  of  honour, 
trufl  or  profit,  under  this  State.  But  the  party  fo  convided  fhall  bCi 
nevertfaelcfs,  liable  and  fubjedt  to  indictment,  trial,  judgment  airf 
punifliment,  according  to  the  laws  of  the  land* 

XXXiV.  And  it  is  farther  ordained,  that  in  every  trial  on  im* 
peachment  or  indi£lment  for  crifues  or  mifdemeanors,  the  parly  ifl^ 
peached  or  indiaed  fhall  be  allowed  counfel  as  in  civil  aftions. 

xxxy.  aki 


nCXV.  Afid  that  this  Convention  doth  fartheti  in  the  name  and 
the  authority  of  t&e  good  people  of  this  State,  ordain,  determine 
1  declare!  that  fuch  part9  of  the  common  law  of  England,  and  of 

ftatute  law  of  England  and  Great-Britain,  and  of  the  a6ts  of  the 
iflature  of  the  colony  of  New* York)  as  together  did  form  the 

of  the  faid  Mony  on  the  19th  day  of  April,  in  the  year  of  our 
:d  one  thou&nd  feven  hundred  and  feventy-five,  (hall  be  and  coii« 
)e  the  law  of  this  State  ;  fubjed  to  fuch  alter^tioiis  and  provifioas 
the  legillature  of  this  State  ihall  from  time  to  time  make  concern* 

the  fame*  That  fuch  of  the  faid  ads  as  are  temporary  fhalL 
»ire  at  the  times  limited  for  their  duration  refpe<5lively»  That  all 
K  parts  of  the  faid  common  law,  «hd  all  fuch  of  the  faid  flatutes 
I  a6t8  af6refaid|  or  parts  thereof,  as  may  be  conftrued  to  eftabliih 
maintain  any  particular  denomination  of  Chriftians  or  their  mi* 
ei^  or  concern  the  allegiance  heretofore  yielded  to^  and  the  fu* 
macy,  fovereignty,  government  or  prerogatives,  claimed  orex-« 
ifed  by  the  King  of  Great-Britain  and  his  predeceflbrs  over  the  00- 
y  of  New- York  and  its  inhabitants,  or  are  repugnant  to  this  con- 
ation, be,  and  they  hereby  are,  abregated  and  rejected.  And 
!  Convention  dotii  faither  ordain,  that  the  refolves  or  refolutions 
he  congreffes  of  the  colony  of  Nei^r-Yjork  and  of  the  Convention, 
the  State  of  Ncw*York  now  in  force>  and  not  repugnant  to  the 
ernment  eilabiiOied  by  this  conftitution,  (hall  be  considered  as 
cing  part  of  the  laws  of  this  State  \  fubje6i,  ncverthelefs,  to  fuch 
rations  and  provifions  as  the  legidature  of  this  State  may,  from 
3  to  time,  make  concerning  the  fame. 
^XXVI.  And  be  it  farther  ordained,  that  all  grants  of  lands  within 

State,  made  by  the  King  of  Great-Britain,  or  perfons  adting 
er  his  authority,  after  the  fourteenth  day  of  October,  one  thou- 
i  feven  hundred  and  feventy-five,  (hall  be  null  lind  void ;  but 

nothing  in  this  conftitution  contained  (hall  be  conftrued  to  affe^ 

grants  of  land,  within  this  State,  made  by  the  authority  of  the 
king  or  his  predece(rors,  ^or  to  annul  any  charters  to  bodies  pgili- 
by  him  or  them,  or  any  of  them,  made  prior  to  that  day.    And 

none  of  the  faid  charters  (hall  be  adjudged  to  be  void,  by  rca-, 
of  any  non-ufer  or  mif-ufer  of  any  of  their  refpe6tive  rights  or 
ileges,  between  the  nineteenth  day  of  April,  in  the  year  of  our 
d  one  thoufand  feven  hundred^tid  feventy-five,  and  the  publica- 

of  this.  con(titution.  And  farther,  that  all  fuch  of  the  ofticera 
tibed  in  the  iidd  charters  relpedivelyi  a»  by  the  terms  of  the 
K^.  II.  Zz,  laid 


354  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

^aid  charters  were  to  be  appointed  by  the  governor  of  tjiecol 
New- York,  with  or  without  the  advice  and  confeht  of  the  couodl  d 
the  faid  king  in  the  faid  colony,  fllall  henceforth  be  sippointed  ^tbi 
council  eflabliflied  by  this  conflitution  for  the  appoiiftm^ht  6f  oAcoi 
in  this  State,  until  otherwifc  directed  by  the  legiilature. 

XXXVII.  And  whereas  it  is  of  great  importance  to  thefafetyef 
this  State,  that  peace  and  amity  with  the  Indians  whhin  the  fatnebe 
fit  nil  times  fupported  and  maintained  ;  and  whereas  the  frauds  too 
often  pradifcd  towards  the  faid  Indians,  in  contrads  made  for  tbd^ 
lands,  have  in  divers  inflances  been  produ^ive  of  dangerous  dit 
contents  and  animodties,  be  it  ordained,  that  no  pnrchafes  or  cob* 
trails  for  the  fale  of  lands,  made  lince  the  fourteenth  day  of  Odlobcr, 
in  the  year  of  our  Loid  one  thoufand  feven  hundred  and  fevcntf* 
five,  or  which  may  hereafter  be  made  with  or  of  the  faid  Indiam  ■ 
within  the  limits  of  this  State,  ihall  be  binding  on  the  faid  Indiansy  I 
or  deemed  valid,  unleis  made  under  the  authority  and  with  the  cob-' 
feiit  of  the  legidature  of  this  State. 

XXXVJU.  And  whereas  we  arc  required  by  the  benevolefit  priod- 
ples  of  rational  liberty,  not  only  to  expel  civil  tyranny^  butalfoto 
^uard  againil  that  fpiritaal  opprellion  and  intolerance  wherewith  the 
bigotry  and  ambition  of  weak  and  wicked  pricfls  and  princes  have 
fcourged  mankind ;  this  Convention  doth  farther,  in  the  name  aw 
by  the  authority  of  the  good  people  of  this  State,  ordain,  determintf 
and  declare,  that  the  free  exercifc  and  enjoyment  of  religious  pro* 
feffion  and  worfliip,  without  difcrimination  or  preference,  fliall  fot 
ever  hereafter  be  allowed  within  this  State  to  all  mankind.    Pro* 
v'.dcd,  that  the  liberty  of  confcicncc  hereby  granted  fball  not  be  C^ 
conftriicd  as  to  excufe  atfls  of  licentioufnefs,  or  juftify  pradices  it*" 
conliflent  with  the  peace  or  fafety  of  this  State. 

XXXIX.  And  whereas  the  minifters  of  the  gofpel  are  by  th»^ 
profeflion  dedicated  to  the  fervice  of  God  and  the  cure  of  fouls^  an^ 
ought  not  to  be  diveried  from  the  great  duties  of  their  fun£tioo  . 
therefore  no  minifler  of  the  gofpel,  or  prieft  of  any  denomioatb^ 
whatfoever,  Ihall  at  any  time  hereafter,  under  any  pretence  gr  dr* 
fcription  whatever,  be  eligible  to,  or  capable  of  holding  any  civil  o^ 
military  office  or  place  within  this  State. 

XL.  And  whereas  it  is  of  the  utmofl:  importance  to  the  fafety  o* 
every  State,  that  it  fhould  always  be  in  a  condition  of  defence ;  andii 
is  the  duty  of  every  man  who  enjoys  the  protection  of  fociety  to  bc 
prepared  md  willing  to  defend  it ;  this  Convention,  therefore,  in  tb^ 


OF    NEW-YORK.  ^^^\ 

ne  and  by  the  authority  of  the  good  people  of  this  State  doth 
lain,  determine,  and  declare,  that  the  militia  of  this  State,  at  all 
les  hereafter,  as  well  in  peace  as  in  war,  (hall  be  armed  and  difct« 
ned,  and  in  readinefs  for  fervice.  That  all  fuch  of  the  inhabitants 
this  State,  being  of  the  people  called  Quakers,  who,  from  fcruplea 

confcience,  may  be  averie  to  the  bearing  of  arms,  be  tlierefrom 
cufed  by  the  legidature ;  and  do  pay  tcf  the  Static  fuch  fums  oC 
oney  in  lieu  of  their  perlbnal  fervice,  as  the  fame  may,  in  the. 
igment  of  the .legiflature,  be  worth:  and  that  a  proper  magazine, 
warlike  ftores,  proportionate  to  the  number  of  inhabitants,  be  for. 
er  hereafter  at  the  expenfe  of  this  State,  and  by  a^^s  of  the  legifla? 
re,  ellabliflied,  maintained,  and  continued  in  every  county  in  this* 
ate. 

XLI.  And  this  Convention  doth  further  ordain,  determine,  and 
dare,  in  the  name  and  by  the  authority  of  the  good  people  of  this 
ate,  that  trial  by  jury,  in  all  cafes  in  which  it  hath  heretofore  beea 
ed  in  the  colony  of  New*York,  fliali  be  eflabdifhed,  and  remaia 
violate  for  ever  :  and  that  no  a6ts  of  attainder  ihall  be  paOed  by  the 
giilature  of  this  State  for  crimes,  other  than  thofe  committed  be*, 
re  the  termination  of  the  prefent  war ;  and  that  fuch  a^ls  iliall  no^ 
ork  a  corruption  of  blood*  And  farther,  thalri'ihe  legiflature  of  thif^ 
ate  ihall  at  no  time  hereafter  infUtute  any  new  court  or  courta 
It  fuch  as  fhail  proceed  according  to  the  courfe  of  the  common  law. 
XLU.  And  this  Convention  doth  farther,  in  the  name  and  by  the 
thority  of  the  good  people  of  this  State,  ordain,  determine,  and  de* 
^rc,  that  it  fliall  be  in  the  difcretion  of  the  legiflature  to  naturalize 

fuch  perfons,  and  in  fuch  manner,  as  they  fliall  think  proper, 
>vided  all  fuch  of  the  perfons  fo  to  be  by  them  naturalized,  as 
ing  bom  in  parts  beyond  fea,  and  out  of  the  United  States  of 
i^erica,  fliall  come  to  fettle  in,  and  become  fubjedts  of  this  State^ 
>I1  take  an  oath  of  allegiance  to  this  State,  and  abjure  and  re- 
Unce  all  allegiance  and  fubjedlion  to  all  and  every  foreign  king, 
^ce,  potentate,  and  ftate,,  in  all  matters  eccleflailical  a$  well  as- 


^  17879  the  legiflature  of  this  State,  ceded  to  the  Commonwealth 
^aflfachufetts,  all  the  lands  within  their  jurifdi<f^ion,  weft  of  a 
^tdian  that  fliall  be  d^wn  from  a  point  in  the  north  boundary 
-  of  Pennfylvania,  eighty-two  miles,  weft  from  the  Delaware  (exr 
'^ing  one  mile  along  the  eafl  fide  of  Niagara  river)  and  alfo  ten 

.  Z  Z  &  tOWQi* 


35^  GENERAL    DESCEIPTION 

tfcwnfliips  Set  ween  the  Chenengo  and  Owegy  riven,  refcnrbifii^  |I^ 
jllriftiidion  to  the  btate  of  New-York.    This  ceffion  was  madeti 

fatisty  r*  c  aim  ot  >  aflk.  buletts  founded  upon  their  original  chicttf* 

•••  •        ' 

All  free  govtrnments  ab  mnd  with  lawyers*  Of  theie  Antcricaftf* 
Diflies  a  pkntuul  growth,  and  New<-York  has  its  ihare)  as  it  contun 
not-lfefs  than  one-^hudldred  and  twenty  licenfed  attordet.  latitil 
State  the  practice  of  lav^  conformed  to  the  £ngli(h  mode)  botk 
more  cjoiififtently  adqiiimtered  than  in  that  country.—- Law,  indedl,  tic 
in  New-York,  is*  not  an  engine  whereby  the  innocent  are  entnppet 
and  rained,  or  by  v^  h<ch  the  worthy  citi2en  is  deprived  of  his  libertj 
and  property  at  the  pleafure  of  his  governors.  The  bwjen 
of  Neiy-'York  are  in  general  men  of  honour.  The  feveral  ^  h 
grees  in  the  profeflion,  the  number  of  critical  examinations  M^  fi' 
dandidates  are  obliged  to  pafs  through  before  they  can  be  ad-  iii 
mitted  as  counlellors  in  the  higher  courts,  together  with  tfar  m 
time  of  fludy  required  by  the  rules  of  admiffion,  render  an  afiod  r 
to  the  firft  honours  of  the  bar  lb  difficult  as  to  preclude  igoonfll 
pretenders  to  the  important  fcience  of  law*  New* York  can  boaft«(j 
many  eminent  charaders  in  all  the  leariied  proieffions,  and  has  fB^ 
Difhed  America  with  fome  of  her  moft  able  iegiflators.  It  is  hov^j 
ever  to  be  feared,  that  a  too  rigid  adherence  to  the  foross  of  kj^ 
procefs  in  England  has  fometimes  perplexed  the  road  to  juftice,  sM 
prevented  valuable  improvements  in  the  pra&jce,  pot  only  oi^ 
but  of  moft  of  the  other  States.  •       ^    "     ' 

FINANCISS^ 

A  variety  of  circumftanccs  have  confpired  to  fill. the  trcafury  of  tb* 
State,  and  wholly  to  fuperfede  the  neoeffity  of  taxatbn  for  fevel* 
yeai^s  pail;  firil,  confifcatiotis  and  economical  management  of  tb^ 
property ;'  fecond,  (ales  of  unappropriated  lands ;  and  thirds  a  du?- 
on  imports  prevbus  to  the  eilablilhment  of  the  federal  govemnies^ 
The  two  former  were  fold  for  continental  cenificates,  at  a  tisac 
when  the  credit  of  the  State  was,  perhaps,  above  the  par  of  tk 
Union,  which  was  the  caufe  of  getting  a  large  fum  of  the  public  debt 
into  the  treafury  of  the  State  at  a  depilBciated  value.  Thefe  certifi- 
cates, fince  the  funding  fvilem  came  into  operation,  added  to  the 
aflumed  State  debt,  a  vaft  quantity  of  which  wa&  alfo  in  the  trediuji 
forms  an  enormous  mafs  of  propenyi  yielding  an  annuity  of  lipwardi 
of  one  hundred  thoufand  dollars  ;  and  when  the  deferred  debt  AsD 

4 

become  a  fix  per  cent,  flock,^  this  ahnuity  wiU  be  incicafiMi  to  ifp* 

wards  of  two  hundtedthoulaad  dollars. 

The 


>: 


OF    NEW- YORK.     -  ^j[^ 

The  aKliiy  of  fh^  State,  therefore,  is  abundantly  competent  to  aid 

4 

blk:  ioftitutioDS  of  every  kind,  to  make  roads,  ered  bridges,  open 
nids,  foad'to  pu(h  every  kind  of  improvement  to  the  moil  defirable 
igtfa*  .It  could  be  wifhed,  that  thofe  citizens  who  u^ere  exiled 
uing  tbe  war,  and^rhofe  property  was  expoi^d  ^^urUig  its  coi:itinu-* 
fce  ^o^wanton  depredation;:,  w^e  amply  rewarded  by  .a  legiilature 
ifleffing  fo  fully  the  means  of  difcrimlniting  this  unhappy  clals 
fufferers,  and  making  them  compenfation  for  their  voluntary 
crifiees,  we  are  not  without  hope  that  this  wUliiboQ  be  the  cafe, 

MILITARY  STRENGTH. 

By  official  ittums  of  the  militia  of  this  State,  made  to  the  governot; 
r  the  adjufant-geoeral)  it  appears  that  the  total  number  in  1789,  was. 
rty-two  thoufand  fix  hundried  and  feventy-nine ;  1790 — forty-four. 
oufand  two. hundred  and  fifty-nine;  1791 — fifty  thouiand  three 
tmdred  and  ninety-nine.  Befides  thefi:,  there  are  as  many  as  five 
r  fix  thoufand  of  the  militia  in  the  new  fettlements,  who  are  not  yet 
rganized. 

FORTS,  &c. 

Thefe  are  principally  in  ruin&  The  demolitipif  of  the  fort  in  the 
by  of  New-York  has  been  mentioned.  Remains  of  the  fortifications 
II  Long-Ifland;  York-Iiland,  White-Plains,  Weft-Poiiri,  and  other 
hoe^,  are.ftill  vifible.  Fort  Stanwix^  built  by  the  Britifh  in  175B, 
'  the  expenfe,  it  is  faid,  of  fixty  thoufand  pounds,  is  one  hundred 
id  feven  miles  weftward  of  Skene<5lady,  on  an  artificial  eminence 
^**dering  on  the  Mohawk  river,  and  in  travelling  this  diflance,  you 
"ft  Fort  Hunter,  Fort  Anthony,  Fort  Plain,  Fort  Herkemcr,  and 
>rt  Schuyler.  As  you  proceed  weftward  of  Fort  Stanwix,  you  pafs 
>rt  Bull,  and  Fort  Breweton,  at  the  weft  end^f  Oneida  lake.  Fort 
^rge  is  at  the  fouth  end  of  lake  Georg/  At  the  point  where 
ke  George  communicates  wit)i  lake  Champlain  is  the  famous  pofi: 
F  Ticonderoga,  by  which  word  the  Canadians  underftand  noify,^^ 
he  works  at  this  place,  are  in  fuch  a  (late  of  dilapidation,  that  u 
^nger  can  fcarcely  form  an  idea  of  their  conftru6fion.  They  are, 
>wever,  fituated  on  fuch  high  ground  as  to  command  the  comnsu- 
cation  between  the  lakes  George  and  Champlain.  Oppofite,  on 
e  fouth  fide  of  the  water  that  empties  out  of  lake  George,  is  a 
Quntain^  to  appearance  inacceifible,  called  Mount  Defiance,  where 
enerai  Burgoyne,  in  the  late  war,  with  a  boldnefs,  fecrecy,  and 
fpatch  almoft  unparalleled,  conveyed  a  number  of  cannon,  ftores^ 
id  troops.     The  cannon  were  raifed  by  large  brafs  tackles  from 


2S$  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

tree  to  tree,  and  from  rock  to  rock,  over  dens  of  rattle-fnakei,  t» 
the  fummic,  which  entirely  commands  the  works  of  TicoDderogif 
This  circumftance  mud  ev^r  be  coniidered  as  a  full  juftiBcatioa  o( 
Central  Sinclair's  fudden  retreat  with  the  American  army,  aodtbe 
obfervation  whiclv.  he  made  oo  his  trial,  io  his.  own  defence,  that 
^*  though  he  had  loft  a  poft,  he  had  faved  a  State,"  was  afterwardi 
verified. 

Crown^Point  is  fifteen  miles  north  of  Ticonderoga  on  Jake  Cham* 
plain.    The  fort  at  this  place,  in  which  a  firitifh  garriibn  was  alwa]fi 
kept,  from  the  redudion  of  Canada  till  the  American  Revolution, 
l¥as  the  moft  regular,  and  the  moll  expenfive  of  any  ever  conftruded 
and  fupported  by  the  Britifh  government  in  North-itoerica,    Tbs 
walls  are  of  wood  and  earth,  about  dxteen  feet  high,  and  twenty  fed 
thick,  and  nearly  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  fquare,  furrouqded  h] 
a  deep  and  broad  ditch  cut  through  a  folid  rock*    It  ftands  on  a  rifiog  j 
ground,  perhaps  two  hundred  yards  from  the  lake,  with  which  thcTB, 
was  a  covered  w^y,  by  which  the  garriibn  could  be  fupplied  wit 
water  in  time  of  a  fiege.    The  only  gate  opens  on  the  north  tPwari 
the  lake,  where  there  was  a  draw-bridge.    On  the  right  and  left,  aii 
you  enter  the  fort,  are  a  row  of  ftone  barracks,  not  inelegantly  bfilt|l 
fufficient  to  contain  fifteen  hundred  or  two  thoufitnd  troops  ;  thep<b| 
jrade  is  between  them,  and  is  a  flat  fmooth  rock.    There  were  fcvenl 
put-works,  which  are  now  in  ruins,  as  is  the  principal  for^  except tb^ 
walls,  and  the  walls  of  the  barracks,  which  {lill  reinsun^ 

INDIANS. 

The  body  pf  the  fix  nations  inhabit  the  wcftcrn  parts  of  this  State| 
'rtte  principal  part  of  the  Mohawk  tribe  refide  on  Grand  river,  in 
Upper  Canada  ;  and  iherp  are  tw^  vUlages  of  Seqecas  on  the  Alle- 
gany river,  near  the  north  line  of  Pennfylvania,  a^d  a  few  Dc|ai 
wares  and  Skawaglikees,  on  Buffalo?  creek.  Including  thefe,  afl4 
tlie  Stockbridge  and  Mohegan  Indian*,  who  have  migrated  and 
fettled  in  the  vicinity  of  Oneida,  there  aye,  in  the  fix  lotions,  4fr 
cording  to  an  accurate  eflimate  lately  made  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kiii 
land,  miiTionary  among  them,  fix  thoufand  three  hundred  9od 
thirty  fouU*  He  a^ids,  that  among  th^e  there  is  copiparatively  N 
very  few  children.. 

The    following    e:^trad  of  9  letter  fxoijn  Mr.   Kirkland,  wH, 
give  the  reader  an  idea  of  the  characters,  which,  according  tolpx 
fiian  tradition,  are  excluded  from  the  happy  country;  ^^.TherciJ^ 


Puf e  Spirits,  the  five  nations  call  EJkanane.  The  only  charadera 
ich,  according  to  their  traditions,  cannot  be  admitted  to  participatcr 
the  pleafureft  and  delights  of  thit  happy  country,  are  reduced  to 
•ee,  viz.  fuicides ;  the  difobcdient  to  the  counfels  of  the  chiefs  j 
d  fuch  as  put  away  their  wives  on  account  of  pregnancy.  Accor- 
ig  to  their  tradition,  there  is  a  gloomy,  fathomlefs  gulph,  near  tho 
rdcrs  of  the  delightful  manfions  of  Efkananc,  over  which  all  good 
d  brave  ipirits  pafs  with  fafety,  under  the  conduct  of  ?i  faithful 
d  ikilf ul  guide  appointed  for  that  purpofe  ;  but  when  a  fuicide,  or 
)r  of  the  above-mentioned  chara6ters,  approach  this  gulphy  the 
adu6tor,  who  poffefTes  a  moft  penetrating  eye,  inftantly  diicover» 
iir  fpiritual  features  and  charader,  and  denies  them  his  aid,  af- 
ning  his  reafons.  They  will,  however,  attempt  to  crofs  upon  a 
all  pole,  which,  before  they  reach  the  middle,  trembles  and 
ikes,  till  prefently  down  they  fall  with  horrid  (hrieks.  In  thia 
rk  and  dreaiy  gulph,  they  fuppofe  refides  a  great  dog,  fome  fay  a 
igon,  infeded  with  the  itch,  which  makes  him  perpetually  reft- 
I  and  fpiteful.  The  guilty  inhabitants  of  this  miferable  region, 
catch  this  difeafe  of  the  great  dog,  and  grope  and  roam  from  fide 
fide  of  their  gloomy  manfion  in  perpetual  torments.  Sometimes 
By  approach  fo  near  the  happy  fields  of  Elkanane,  that  they  can 
ar  the  fongs  and  dances  of  their  former  companions.  This  only 
rves  to  increafe  their  torments,  as  they  can  difcern  no  light,  nor 
fcover  any  paflage  by  which  they  can  gain  accefs  to  them.  They 
ppofe  ideots  and  dogs  go  into  the  fame  gulph,  but  have  a  more 
Mnfbrtable  apartment,  where  they  enjoy  fome  little  light."  Mr. 
irkland  adds,  that  feveral  other  nations  of  Indians  with  whom  1)^ 
U  converfed  on  the  fubjeA,  have  nearly  the  fame  traditionary  no- 
5ns  of  a  future  date.  They  almofl  univerfally  agree  in  thist 
lat  the  departed  fpirit  is  ten  days  in  its  •  pafTage  to  their  happy 
yiium,  after  it  leaves  the  body  ;  fome  of  them  fuppofe  its 
>Urfc  is  towards  the  fouth  \  others  that  it  afcends  froon  fome  lofty 
ountain. 

The  Oneidas  inhabit  on  Oneida  creek,  twenty  one  miles  weft  of 
*rt  Stanwix. 

The  Tufcaroras  migrated  from  North-Carolina  and  the  frontiers 
'  Virginia,  and  were  adopted  by  the  Oneidas,  with  whom  they  have 
'^  fince  lived.     They  were  originally  of  the  fame  nation. 
The  Smecas  inhabit  the  Chenellee  river,  at  the  ChenefTee  caflle. 
^y  have  two  towns  of  fixty  or  ftventy  fouis  each,  on  French 

creek^ 


366  bENEkAL  DESckiFTibii 

treck,  in  Pennfylvania ;  and  another  town  on  Buffaloe  crtek,  ai^ 
tached  to  the  Biitifh  ;  tWo  fmall  towns  oti  Allegan/  river,  zVUdd 
to  the  Americans,  Obeil,  or  Cdriiplanter,  one  of  the  Seikc^  chk6) 
refiJed  here. 

The  Moha^jjh  were  acknowledged  by  the  other  tribes,  to  iiie  tbdt 
own  cxprtMrMns,  to  be  "  the  tiroc  old  heads  of  the  confedtrtcyj** 
and  were,  formerly,  a  powerful  tribe,  inhabiting  on  the  Moha«k 
riNcr.  As  they  were  ftrongly  attached  to  the  johnfon  &mify  i(Hi  ac^ 
toiint  oF  Sir  Wilham  Johnfon,  they  ertiigrated  to  CaHatia,  with  Sir 
John  johnfon,  about  the  year  1776.  There  is  now  only  dric  familf 
of  thcnl  ill  the  State,  and  they  live  about  a  ihile  from  Fort  Hanteft 
The  :a:her  of  thii  family  was  drowned  in  the  wintet  of  1788. 

All  tr.e  confederated  tribes,  except  the  Oneidas  and  TuC^uonn 
iided  with  the  Britifli  in  the  late  \Var,  and  fought  agathft  the  AiMi 
Kcans. 

The  Onon^agdi  live  near  the  Onondaga  lake,  aboiit  tiirenty-fiii 
miles  from  the  Orv.ida  lake.     Id  the  fpring  of  1779^  1  r^meot 
men  were  fent  from  Albany,  by  General  J.  Clinton^   ag^ft 
Ottondagas.     This  regiment  fnrprifed  their  town,  took  thirt]r-i 
prifonersj  killed  twelve  or  fourteen,  and  returned  witliout  the  lofi 
a  man.     A  party  of  the  Indians  were  at  this  time  ravaging  the  AflH* 
fican  frontiers. 

There  are  very  few  of  the  Delaware  tribe  in  this  Statfe. 

The  Five  Confederated  Nations  Were  ibttled  along  the  banks  rf 
the  Sufqiiehannah,  and  in  the  adjacent  coiintry^  until  the  year  17791 
when  General  Sullivan,  with  .in  army  of  four  thdufand  inch,  drovd 
iktm  from  their  country  to  Niagara,  but  coiild  not  bring  them  to 
adion.  They  waited.  h\\x  waited  in  vain,  for  the  affiftance  of  the 
«leittents,  or,  as  they  exjr  eifed  themfelves,  for  the  affiflance  of  Al 
Great  Spirit.  Had  heavy  rnins  fallen  while  General  Sullivan's  annf 
was  advanced  iiito  their  country,  perhaps  feW  of  his  ft)ldier8  wonU 
have  efcaped,  and  none  of  their  baggslge,  ammuhition,  or  artiileiy* 
This  expeditiofi  had  a  good  ctfefl.  General  Sullivan  burnt  feveral 
of  their  towns  and  deilroycd  their  provifions*  Since  this  imiptioa 
into  their  country,  their  former  habitations  have  beetf  moiHy  dc» 
fcrted,  and  many  of  them  have  gone  to  Canada. 

On  the  13th  of  November,  1787,  John  Livingfton,  Efq.and  foor 
others,  obtained  of  the  Six  Nations  of  Indians  a  leafe  for  nine  hun* 
dred  and  ninety-nine  years,  on  a  yearly  rent  refcrvcd  of  two 
thouiand  dollars^  of  all  tlie  country  included  ia  the. folioviriiig  limits 


-^» 


OF   NEW-YORK.  3d 

iz.  Beginning  at  a  place  commonly  known  by  the  name  of  Canada 
reek,  about  feven  miles  weft  of  Fort  Stanwix,  now  Fort  Schuyler, 
icnce  north-eaftwardjy  to  the  line  of  the  province  of  Quebec; 
icnce  along  die  faid  line  to  the  Pennfylvania  line ;  thence  eaft  on 
It  faid  line,  Pennfylvania  line,  to  the  line  of  property,  fo  called  by 
ic  State  of  New- York  ;  thence  along  the  faid  line  of  property  to 
*anada  creek  aforefaid.  And  on  the  1 8th  ef  January,  1788,  the 
Lme  perfons  obtained  a  leafe  of  the  Oneida  Indians  &r  nine  hundred 
nd  ninety-niac  years,  on  a  rent  referved  for  the  firft  year,  of  twelve 
undred  dollars,  and  increafing  at  the  rate  of  one  hundred  dollars 
year,  until  it  amounts  to  one  thouiand  five  hundred  dollars^ 
f  all  the  traft  .of  land  commonly  called  the  Oneida  country, 
jucept  a  refervation  of  feveral  tra£ts  fpecificd  in  the  leafe.  Biit 
hefe  leafes  having  been  obtained  without  tlie  confent  of  the  legif* 
ature  of  the  State,  the  Senate  and  Aflembly,  in  their  feflion^  March 
788,  refolved,  "  That  the  faid  leafes  are  purchafes  of  lands,  and 
iierefore,.  that  by  the  conftitution  of  this  State,  the  faid  leafes  are 
ot  binding  on  the  faid  Indians,  and  are  not  valid."  Since  this  a  treaty 
as  been  concluded  with  the  faid  Indians,  the  bargain  of  the  leafes 
mulled,  and  all  the  country  purchafed  of  the  natives,  except  a  re- 
rvation  to  the  Oneidas,  Cayu^s,  and  Onondagas,  defined  by  cer- 
In  marks  and  boundaries 


VoL.n.  3  A  STATE 


(    36*    ) 


Jlieiir 


ln!£r. 
hi 


STATE    OF 


N  E  W-J  E  R  S  E  Y. 


llXIQt 


ikk 

m 

SITUATION,   EXTENT,    &c.  Lk 

Tm 
HIS  State  is  fituated  between  39*^311(1  4 1^' 14' north  latlttKici  |{gft 

and  the  greateft  part  of  it  lies  between  the  meridian  of  Philadelphi>i 

and  i^  eafl  longitude.     It  is  one  hundred  and  fixty  miles  long)  and 

fifty-two  broad  ;    and  is  bounded  eaft,  by  Hudfon  rivef  and  the  l^^^i 

Tea;  foutb,  by  the  fea;  weft,  by  Delaware  bay  and  river,  which*  |te\ 

vide  it  from  the  States  of  Delaware  and  Pennfylvania ;  north,  \ff  * 

line  drawn  from  the  mouth  of  Mahakkamak  river,  in  latitude  41* 

24'  to  a  point  on  Hudfon  river  in  latitude  fi^.    Containing  aboil^ 

eight  thoufand  three  hundred  and  twenty  fquare  piles,  equal  to  fi^* 

million  three  hundred  and  twenty-four  thoufand    eight  hundr^^ 

acres. 

FACE  OF  THE  COUNTRY,  SEA'  COAST,  &c. 

The  counties  of  Suflex,  Morris,  and  the  northern  part  of  Berge^^ 
are  mountainous.  The  South  mountain,  which  is  one  ridge  of  tl^^ 
great  Allegany  range,  crofles  this  State  in  about  latitude  41**.  Th^^ 
mountain  embofoms  fuch  amazing  quantities  of  ir^n  ore,  that  it  ma^ 
not  improperly  be  called  the  Iron  Mountain.  The  Kittatinny  ridg^ 
pafTes  through  this  State  north  of  the  South  mountain.  Seven/ 
fpurs  from  thefe  mountains  are  projeded  in  a  fouthern  diredion* 
One  paiTes  between  Springfield  and  Chatham ;  another  runs  weft 
of  it,  by  Morriftown,  Ba&inridge,  and '  Vealtown.  The  interior 
country  is,  in  general,  agreeably  variegated  with  hills  and  vallies. 
The  fouthern  counties  which  lie  along  the  fea  coaft,  are  pretty  uni- 
formly flat  and  fandy.  The  noted  Highlands  of  Navefink,  and 
Center  hill,  are  almoft  the  only  hills  within  the  diflance  of  maoj 
miles  from  the  fea  coaft.  The  Highlands  of  Navefink  are  on  tbc 
fea  coaft  near  Sandy-Hook^  in  the  townftiip  of  Middietooi  and  are 

the 


OF  NEW-JERSEY.  363 

I  laiHls  that  are  difcovered  by  mariners,  as  Aey  come  upon 
d.    They  rife  about  fix  hundred  feet  above  the  furface  of  the 

luch  as  five-eighths  of  moft  of  the  ibuthem  counties,  or  one 
of  the  whole  State,  is  almoft  a  iandy,  barren  wafle,  unfit  ia 
)arts  for  cultivation.  The  land  on  the  fea  coaft  in  this,  like 
the  more  fouthern  States,  has  every  appearance  of  maJe 
The  foil  is  generally  a  light  fand ;  and  by  di  j;gingy  on  an 
,    about  fifty  feet  below  the  furface,   which  can  be  done^ 

• 

the  diftance  of  twenty  or  thirty  miles  from  the  fea,  without 
pediment  from  rocks  or  flones,  you  come  to  fait  marih.  The 
lan  who  gave  this^infbrmation  adds,  '^  I  have  feen  an  oyfier 
lat  would  hold  a  pint,  which  was  dug  out  of  the  marfli* 
ket  deep,  in  digging  a  well." — "  About  feven  years  fincc,'* 
les  our  informer,  *^  at  Long  Branch,  in  the  county  of  Mon- 
in  the  banks  of  the  Atlantic,  which  were  greatly  torn  by  a 
ife  of  the  fea  in  a  violent  eafterly  ftorm,  was  difcovered  tfa^ 
1  of  fome  huge  carnivorous  animal.  The  country  people  who 
T  it  had  fo  little  curiofity,  as  to  fuffer  it  to  be  wholly  deftroyed, 
a  jaw  tooth  which  I  faw.  This  was  about  two  and  an  half 
ivide,  five  inches  long,  and  as  many  deep.  The  perfon  whO 
to  take  it  out  of  the  bank  aflured  me,  there  was  one  rib  feven 
r  inches,  and  another  four  feet  long."  The  bones  of  another 
s  animals  have  lately  been  difcovered  in  a  meadow,  in  the 
of  Glouceftcr,  on  ±c  river  Delaware,  by  a  negro,  who  was 
a  ditch,  three  or  four  feet  deep.  Part  of  tbefe  bones  were 
Philadelphia.  To  account  for  thefe  curious  phenomena  ia 
buiinefs ;  this  is  left  for  the  ingenious  naturalifi:,  who  has 
and  leifure  to  compare  £a^  and  appearances  of  this  kind, 
0  probably  may  thence  draw  conclufions  which  may  thi»w 
ght  on  the  ancient  hifiory  of  this  countr}%  ^ 
•Jerfey  is  wafhed  on  the  eaft  and  fouth-eaft,  by  Hudibp 
id  the  ocean ;  and  on  the  weft,  by  X\xt  river  Delaware, 
moft  remarkable  bays 'are,.  Arthur  Kill,  or  Newark  bay, 
by  the  union  of  Paifaik  and  Hackinfack  rivers.  This  bay^ 
>  the  right  and  left,  and  embraces  Staten-Ifland.  There  te 
bay  formed  by  a  beach,  four  or  five  miles  from  the  (bore, 
ng  along  the  coaft  north-eaftand  fouth-weft,  fromMantif- 
iver,  in  Monmouth  county,  almoft  to  Cape  Mayt    Through 

3  A  2  thii 


^64  GENETRAL   DESCRIPlTlON 

this  beach  are  a  number  of  inlets,  by  which  the  bay  commo&icalel 
with  the  ocean. 

On  the  top  of  a  mountain,  in  Morris  county,  is  a  lake  or  pond; 
three  miiei  in  length,  and  from  a  mile  to  a  mile  and.  an  half  in 
breadth,  from  which  proceeds  a  continual  flream.  It  is  in  fonoc 
places  deep.  The  water  is  of  a  fea  green  colour  ;  but  when  takctt 
up  in  a  tumbler,  is^  like  the  water  of  the  ocean,  clear  and  of  acryt 
talline  colour. 

The  rivers  in  this  State,  thoiigh  not  large,  are  numerousf.  A  tea* 
Teller,  in  pafling  the  common  road  from  New-York  to  Philadelphia^ 
crofTes  three  confiderable  rivers,  viz.  the  Hackinfack  and  Paflaik,  bfr 
tween  Bergen  and  Newark,  and  the  Raritan  by  Brunfwick.  The 
Hackinfack  rifes  in  Bergen  county,  runs  a  fovMihvvardly  courfe,  anl  |[i 
empties  into  Newark  bay.  At  the  ferry,  near  iis  nK>uth,  it  is  foar 
hundred  and  fixty  yards-  wide,  and  is  navigable  fifteen  miles. 

PaiTafk  is  a  rery  crooked  river.     It  rifes  in  a  large  fwampii 
Morris  county*    Its  general  courfe  is  from  weft  north-weft  to  caifc 
fouth-caft,  until  it  mingles  with  the  Hackinfack  at  the  head  of  Newail 
bay.    It  is  navigable  about  ten  miles,  and  is  two  hundred  and  tUrtf 
yards  wide  at  the  ferry.    The  cataract  (or  Great  Falls)  in  this  mOy 
h  one  of  the  greateft  natural  curiofities  in  this  State.     The  river  ii 
about  forty  yards  wide,  and  moves  in  a  flow,  gentle  current,  uQd 
coming  within  a  fliort  diftance  of  a  deep  cleft  in  the  rock,  whick 
crolTes  the  channel ;  it  defcends  and  falls  above  feventy  feet  perpefr  II 
dicularly,  in  one  entire  (heet.    One  end  of  the  cleft,  which  wase^'  |^ 
dently  made  by  fome  violent  convuliion  in  nature,  isclofed;  at  the 
other,  th;;  water  ruflies  out  with  incredible  fwiftnefs,.  forming 3& 
acute  angle  with  its  former  dh'edtibn,  and  is  received  intoalariF 
bafon,  whence  it  takes  a  winding  courfe  through  the  rocks,  «» 
fpreads  into  a  broad  fmooth  ftream.   The  cleft  is  from  four  to  twclf« 
feet  broad.    The  falling  of  the  water  occafions  a  cloud  of  vapour  •• 
arife,  which  by  floating  amidft  the  fun  beams,  preients  to  the  vie^' 
rainbows,  that  add  beaiuy  to  the  tremendous  fcene.     The  new  m*" 
nufa<^uring  town  of  Patteribn  is  ere6ted  upon  the  Great  Falls  in  thi* 
river.     The  weftern  bank  of  the  river^  between  Newark  and  th^ 
Falls,  affords  one  of  the  pleafanteft  roads  for  a  party  of  pleafuit  »* 
New-Jerfey.    The  bank  being  high,  gives  the  traveller  an  elcvatc<t 
and  extenfive  view  of  the  oppoiite  fhore,  which  is  low  and  feitH^ 
-forming  a  landfcape,  pidlurefque  and  beautiful.    MaayhandihBis 

country  feats  adprn  the  iide&  of  this  river ;  and  there  are  ckff^ 

fitoatiotf 


OF   NEW- JERSEY.  365 

itions  for  more*  Gentlemen  of  fortune  might  here  difplay  their 
i  to  advantage.  The  iifh  of  various  kinds  with  which  this  river 
ands,  while  they  would  fiirniih  the  table  with  an  agreeable 
aft,  would  afford  the  fportfman  an  innocent  and  manly  amufe- 
it, 

laritan  river  is  formed  by  two  confiderable  ftreams^  called  the 
th  and  fouth  branches ;  one  of  which  has  its  fource  in  Morris, 
other  in  Hunterdon  county.    It  palfes  by  Bnmfwick  and  Amboy, 

mingles  with  the  waters  of  the  Arthur  Kill  found,  and  helps  to 
n  the  fine  harbour  of  Amboy.    It  is  a  mile#Hiride.  at  its  mouth, 

hundred  and  fifty  yards  at  Brunfwick,  and  is  navigable  about  fix- 
1  miles.  It  is  fuppofed  that  this  river  is  capable  of  a  very  ileady 
c  navigation,  as  high  as  the  junfliun  of  the  north  and  ibuth 
nches ;  and  thence  up  the  fouth  branch  to  Grandin's  bridge  in 
igwood.  Thence  to  Delaware  river  is  ten  or  twelve  miles.  It  is 
pofed  a  portage  will  be  here  eflabliflied  by  a  turnpike  road :  or  the 
iers  of  the  Raritan  may  be  united  with  thofe  of  the  Delaware^ 
a  canal  from  the  fouth  branch  of  the  Raritan  to  Mufconetcony 
iVj  which  empties  into  the  Delaware,  or  from  Capoolong  creek, 
vater  of  the  Raritan,  emptying  at  Grandin's  bridge,  and  Necef- 
kaway,  a  water  of  the  Delaware*  It  is  fuppofed  alfo  that  an  in- 
d  navigation  from  Philadelphia  to  New-York  may  be  effected  by 
iceeding  up  the  Afanpink,  a  water  of  the  Delaware,  emptying  at 
enton,  towards  Princeton ;  and  from  thence  by  a  Canal  to  the 
Uilone,  a  water  of  the  river,  to  New-Brunfwick. 
\t  Raritan  hills,  through  which  this  river  paffes,  is  a  fmall  caf- 
le,  where  the  water  falls  fifteen  or  twenty  feet,  very  romantically, 
ween  two  rocks.  This  river  oppofite  to  Brunfwick  is  fo  ihallow, 
t  it  is  fordable  at  low  water  with  horfes  and  carriages,  but  a  little 
ow  it  deepens  fo  fad  that  a  twenty  gun  Ihip  may  ride  fecurely  at 

time  of  tide.  The  tide,  however,  rifes  (o  high,  that  large  ihal- 
s  pafs  a  mile  above  the  ford ;  fo  that  it  is  no  uncommon  thing  to 
velfels  of  confiderable  burden  riding  at  anchor,  and  a  number  of 
:«  river  craft  lying  above,  fome  dry,  and  others  on  their  beam 
>s  for  want  of  water,  within  gunfhot  of  each  other. 
Wdges  have  lately  been  erected,  and  are  now  nearly  or  quite  cono- 
^ed  ^agreeably  to  laws  of  the  State  paiied  for  that  purpofe)  over 
I^aflaik,  Hackinfack,  and  Raritan  rivers,  on  the  poft  road  between 
J^-York  and  Philadelphia.     Thcfe  bridges  will  greatly  facilitate 

intorcourie  between  xhefe  two  great  cities. 

Befides 


366  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

Befides  thefe  are  Ceiarea  river,  or  Cohan&y  creek,  which  riCes^A 
Salem  county,  and  is  about  thirty  miles  in  length,  and  navigibkl 
for  veifeis  of  an  hundred  tons  to  Bridgetown,  twenty  miles  frornkj 
mouth* 

Mulicus  river  divides  the  counties  of  Gloucefter  and  Burlmgtoi^ 
and  is  navigable  twenty  miles  for  veflels  of  fixty  tons. 

Maurice  river  riles  in  Glouceller  county,  runs  fouthwardly  abort 
forty  miles,  and  is  navigable  for  veifeis  of  an  hundred  tons,  fiftees 
miles,  and  for  ihallops  ten  miles  fsirther. 

Alloway  creek,  m  the  county  of  Salem,  is  navigable  fixteen  miki| 
for  fhallops,  with  feveral  obilrudtions  of  drawbridges.  Aocooi 
creek,  in  Burlington  county,,  is  alfo  navigable  fixteen  miles.  Tbd^l 
with  many  other  Iroallcr  flneams^  empty  into  the  Delaware,  d] 
carry  down  the  produce  which  their  fertile  banks  and  the  neighbotf* 
ing  country  afford. 

That  part  of  the  State  which  borders  on  the  fea,  is  indentied  wi4 
ti  great  nnml^er  of  fmall  rivers  and  creeks,  fuch  as  Great  Egg-har- 
bour, and  Little  Egg-harbour  fivers,  Naveiink,  Shark,  Matticuogij 
and  Forked  rivers,  which,  as  the  country  is  flat,  are  navigable  ivj 
fmall  craft  almofl  to  their  fources. 

Faulin's  Kiln,  in  Suifex  county,  is  navigable  for  craft  fifteetj 
miles;  and  the  Mufconetcony,  which  divides  Hunterdon  fromSu&dj 
is  capable  of  beneficial  improvement^  as  is  the  PequeA,  or  Feqoafitr^ 
between  the  two  laft-mentioned  rivers. 

This  State  is  remarkable  for  mill  feats,  eleven  hundred  ofwbicli||^ 
are  already  improved  ;  five  hundred  with  flour  mills,  and  the  td 
with  faw  mills,  fulling  mills,  forges,  furnaces,  flitting,  and  rollifll  |{|. 
mills,  paper,  powder,  and  oil  mills.  m 

Sandy-Hook,  or  Point,  is  in  the  townfliip  of  Middletown;  ^m 
on  this  point  flands  a  light  houfe,  one  hundred  feet  high,  bui^ 
by  the  citizens  of  New- York. 

SOIL  ANa  PRODUCTIONS. 

This  State  has  all  the  varieties  of  foil  from  the  worft  to  the  brf 
kind.  It  has  a  great  proportion  of  barrens.  The  good  land  in  ^ 
fouthern  counties  lies  principally  on  the  banks  of  rivers  and  creels* 
The  foil  on  thefe  banks  is  generally  a  flifif  clay  ;  and  while  in  a  fti^ 
of  nature,  produces  various  fpecies  of  oak,  hickory,  popfar,  dbeb^ 
afli,  gum,  &c.  The  barrens  produce  little  elfe  bat  ihrub  oaki  tf' 
yellow  pines.    Thefe  fandy  lands  yield  an  immenfe  quaotigr  of  ^ 

'jff0 


OF    NEW-JERSEY.  367 

n  ore,  which  is  worked  up  to  great  advantage,  in  the  iron  works  in 
:fe  counties.  There  are  large  bodies  of  fait  meadow  along  the 
i^r  part  of  the  Delaware  river  and  bay,  which  afford  a  plentiful 
[hire  f3r  cattle  in  fummer,  and  hay  in  winter  ;  but  the  flies  and 
ifketoes  frequent  thefe  meadows  in  large  fvvarms,  in  the  months 
June,  July,  and  Auguft,  and  prove  very  troublefome  both  to 
in  and  beaft.  In  Gloucefter  and  Cumberland  counties  are  feveral 
ge  tradts  of  banked  meadow.  Their  vicinity  to  Philadelphia  rea- 
rs them  highly  valuable.  Along  the  fea  coaft  the  inhabitants 
Dfift  principally  by  feeding  cattle  on  the  fait  meadows,  and  by  the 
1  of  various  kinds,  fiich  as  rock,  drum,  iliad,  perch,  &c.  black 
rtle,  crabs,  and  oyfters,  which  the  fea,  rivers  and  creeks  afiford  in 
eat  abundance.  They  raife  Indian  corn,  rye,  potatoes,  &c.  but  not 
r  exportation.  Their  fwamps  afford  lumber,  which  is  eafily  con- 
yed  to  a  good  market.  The  fugar  maple  tree  is  common  in  Suflex 
unty  upon  the  Delaware. 

In  the  hilly  and  mountainous  parts  of  the  State,  which  are  not  too 
cky  for  cultivation,  the  foil  is  of  a  ftronger  kind,  and  covered  ia 
J  natural  ftate  with  fbtely  oaks,  hickories,  chefnuts,  &c.  and  when 
ihivated  produces  wheat,  rye,  Indian  corn,  buck  wheat,  oats, 
irley,  flax,  and  fruits  of  all  kinds  coronion  to  the  climate.  The 
nd  in  this  hilly  country  is  good  for  grazing,  and  farmers  feed  great 
umbers  of  cattie  for  New- York  and  Philadelphia  markets  5  and  many 
them  keep  large  dairies,  as  there  are  large  tradts  of  flne  meadows 
'tween  the  hills. 

The  orchards  in  many  parts  of  the  State  equal  any  in  the  United 
ates,  and  their  cyder  is  faid,  and  not  without  reafon,  to  be  the 
•ft  in  the  world,  ft  is  pretty  certain,  that  it  cannot  be  furpaflTed  in 
odncfs. 

^he  markets  of  New-York  and  Philadelphia  receive  a  very  cond- 
f"2ible  proportion  of  their  fupplies  from  the  contiguous  parts  of  Ncw- 
'fey.  And  it  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  thefe  contiguous  parts  are 
^edingly  well  calculated,  as  to  the  nature  and  fertility  of  their 
5^  to  afford  thefe  fupplies;  and  the  intervention  of  a  great  number 
>.avigable  rivers  and  creeks  renders  it  very  convenient  to  market 
^  t:  produce.  Thefe  fupplies  confift  of  vegetabies  of  many  kinds, 
^les,  pears,  peaches,  plums,  ftrawberries,  cherries,  and  other 
^ts ;  cyder  in  large  quantities,  and  of  the  beft  quality ;  butter, 
^fe,  beef,  pork,  mutton,  and  the  leflTcr  meats. 

Thif 


368  GENERAL    DESCRIFTIOIT 

This  State  embofoms  vaft  quantities  of  iron  and  copper  ore.  Tbfi 
iron  ore  is  of  two  kinds  ;  one  is  capable  of  being  manufiaAured  m 
malleable  iron,  and  is  found  in  mountains  and  in  low  barrens ;  thff 
other,  called  bog  ore,  grows  in  rich  bottoms,  and  yields  iron  of  a 
hard,  brittle  quality,  is  commonly  manufa^ured  into  hollow  ware^ 
and  ufed  fometimes  inftead  of  ftone  in  building. 

A  number  of  copper  mines  have  been  difcovered  in  different  parti 
of  the  State :  one  b  in  Bergen  county,  which,  when  worked  by  the 
^chuylers,  (to  whom  it  belonged)  was  coniiderably  produdive ;  but 
they  have  for  many  years  been  neglc6tcd. 

The  following  account  of  a  copper  mine   at  Ncw-Bninfwidt , 
is  given  by  a  gentleman  of  diflinction,  well  informed  upon 
fubjeft : 

"  About  the  years  1748,    1749,  1750,  feveral  lumps  of  virgitti 
copper,  from  five  to  thirty  pounds  weight,  in  the  whole  upwards  | 
of  two  hundred  pounds,  were  plowed  up  in  a  field  belonging  tO| 
Philip  French,  Efq,  within  a  quarter  of  n  mile  of  New  Brunfwicfcj 
This  induced  Mr,  Elias  Boudinot,  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  to  take 
a  leafc  of  Mr,  French,  of  this  land,  for  ninety- nine  years,  in.ordtf 
to  fearch  for  copper  ore,  a  body  of  which,    he  concluded,    mufti 
be  contained  in  this  hilU     He  took  in  feveral  partners,  and  abootj 
the  year  1751,  opened  a  pit  in  the  low  grounds,  about  two  hu 
or  three  hundred  yards  from  th#  river.     He  was  led  to  this  fpot  by  al 
friend  of  his,  who  a  little  before,  paifing  by  at  three  o'clock  in  tbft'j 
morning,  obferved  a  body  of  flame  arife  out  of  the  ground^  as  large 
as  a  common^fized  man,  and  foon  after  die  away.    He  drove  a  ihke 
on  the  fpot.    About  fifteen  feet  deep,  Mr.  Boudinot  came  on  a  vda 
of  bluifli  ilone,  about  two  feet  thick,  between  two  perpendicular 
loofe  bodies  of  red  rock,  covered  with  a  flieet  of  ppre  virgin  coppeff 
a  little  thicker  than  gold  leaf.     This  blue  ftone  was  filled » with fparb 
of  virgin  copper,  vciy  much  like  copper  filings,  and  now  and  then  a, 
Lirge  lump  of  virgin  copper,  from  five  to  thirty  pounds  weight.    Hft 
followed  this  vein  almoft  thirty  feet,  when,  the  water  coming  ifl 
very  fa  ft,  the  expenfe  became  too  great  for  the  company's  capitaL^ 
A  fiamping-mill  was  erefted,  when,  by  reducing  the  bluifli  ftonc  to, 
a  powder,  and  wafhuig  it  in  large  tubs,  the  (tone  was  carried  cSf 
and  the  fine  copper  preferved,  .by  which  means  many  tons  of  the 
pureft  copper  were  lent  to  England  without  ever  pafiing  througlitii^ 
fire ;  but  labour  was  too  high  to  render  it  poffible  /or  the  comfOi$ 
to  pfoceed.    Sheets  of  copper  about  the  thicknefs  of  two  peniu^ 

•  4  vA 


OF    NEW-JERSEY.  369 

d  three  feet  fquare^  on  an  average,  havef%>een  taken  from  between 
5  rocksy  within  four  feet  of  the  furfece,  in  feveral  parts  of  the  .hiJU 

about  fifty  or  fixty  feet  deep,  they  came  to  a  body  of  fine  folid 
;  in  the  midft  of  this  bluifti  vein,  but  between  rocks  of  a  white 
ity  fjpar,  which,  however,  was  worked  out  in  a  few  days,  Thefe 
>rks  lie  now  wholly  negledtcd,  although  the  vein  when  left,  was 
her  than  ever  it  had  been.  There  was  alfo  a  very  rich  vein  of 
jper  ore  diicovered  at  Rocky  Hill,  in  Somerfet  county,  which  has 
a  been  negle6ted  from  the  heavy  expenfe  attending  the  working  of 

There  have  beenvarious  attempts  made  to  fearch  the  hills  beyond 
undbrook,  known  by  the  name  of  Van  Home's  mountain,  but  thefe 
•  the  fame  reafon  are  now  negle6led,  Tl?is  mountain  difcovers 
5  greateft  a^>pearance  of  copper  ore  of  any  place  in  the  State :  it 
y  be  picked  up  on  the  furface  of  many  parts  of  it,  A  fmelting- 
mace  was  ere^ed  before  the  revolution,  in  the  neighbourhood,  by 
o  Germans,  who  were  making  very  confiderable  profit  on  their 
►rk,  until  the  Britiih  deftroyed  it  in  the  beginning  of  the  war. 
tie  inhabitants  nude  it  worth  their  while  by  colle6ling  the  ore  from ' 
5  furface,  and  by  partially  digging  into  the  hill,  to  fupply  the  fur- 
ce.  Befides,  a  company  opened  a  very  large  (haft  on  the  fide  of 
B  hill,  from  which  alfo  a  great  deal  of  valuable  ore  and  fome 
rgiB  copper  were  taken.  Two  lumps  of  virgin  copper  were 
and  here  in  the  year  17541  which  weighed  one  thoufand  nine 
uadred  pounds." 

A  lead-taine  has  been  difcovered  in  Hopewell  townfliip,  four  miles 
5m  Trenton.  There  is  faid  to  be  coal  on  Raritan  river,  below 
runfwick,  and  at  Pluckemin ;  and  turf  in  Bethlehem,  at  the  head 
'  its  fouth  branch ;  and  alfo  at  Springfield  on  Raway  river,  which 
remarkable  for  mill  feats. 

In  the  upper  part  of  the  county  of  Morris  is  a  cold  mineral  fpring, 
rWch  is  frequented  by  valetudiiiarians,  and  its  waters  have  been 
ifcd  with  very  confiderable  fuccefs.  In  the  townflup  of  Hanover,  in 
Us  county,  on  a  ridge  of  hills,  are  a  number  of  wells,  which  regu* 
•riy  ebb  and  flow  about  fix  feet,  twice  in  every  twenty-four  hours, 
I*hefe  wells  are  nearly  forty  miles  from  the  fea  in  a  llraight  line. 
^  the  county  of  Cape  May  is  a  fpring  of  frefli  water,  which  boils  up 
'Otn  the  bottom  of  a  fait  water  creek,  which  runs  nearly  dry  at  low 
de ;  but  at  flood  tide  is  covered  with  water  diredly  from  the  ocean, 
>  the  depth  of  three  or  four  feet ;  yet  in  this  fituation,  by  lettbg 
Own  a  bottle,  well  corked,  through  the  falt-water  into  the  fpring, 

Vo^.  IL  3  B  and 


370  GENERAL    D£SeRIPTI017 

and  immediately  drawing  the  cork  with  a  firing  prepared  fcr 
purpofe,  it  may  be  drawn  up  full  of  fine  untainted  frefh  water. 
There  arc  fprings  o*^  this  kind  in  various  qthei^  parts  of  the  Stale, 
the  county  of  Hunierdon,  near  the  top  ot  iVxuikoiietcony  mdUDiain, 
a  noted  medicinal  f])iing,  to  which  invalids  relbrt  from  evcy  qi 
It  iflues  from  the  fide  of  a  mouniain,  and  is  conveyed  into  an 
ficial  re(\^rvoir  for  the  acco^nn^odation  of  thofe  who  wiih  tp  ba^i 
^s  well  as  to  drmk»  the  waters.     It  is  a  ftrong  chalybeate,  and 
cold.    Thefe  waters  have  been  ufed  with  very  confiderable  fuccei 
but  perhaps  the  exercife  necefTary  to  ^et  to  them,  and  the  purity 
the  air  in  this  lofty  fituation,  aided  by  a  lively  imagination,  have 
great  efiicacy  in  curing  the  patient  as  the  wateis. 

A  curious  fpring  has  been  difcovered,  about  two  hundred 
from  the  fouth  branch  of  Raritan  river,  from  which,  even  in 
dryefi  feafons,  a  fmall  fiream  ifiues,  except  when  the  wind  contiQi 
to  blow  from  the  noi  th-weft  for  more  than  two  days  fucceffi' 
when  it  ceafes  to  run ;  and  if  the  water  be  taken  out  of  the 
placed  in  the  ground,  it  will  remain  empty  until  the  wind  chanj 
when  it  is  again  filled,  and  flows  as  ufual. 

Jn  the  townfliip  of  Shrewlbury,  in  Montnouth  county,  ca  thjC 

of  a  branch  of  Navefink  river,  is  a  remarkable  cave,  ia  which 

are  three  rooms.     The  cave  is  about  thirty  feet  long  and  fifteen 

broad.    E^ch  of  the  rooips  are  arched :  the  center  of  the  arch 

about  five  feet  from  the  bottom  of  the  cave ;  the  fides  not  more  tha 

two  and  an  half.     The  mouth  of  the  cave  is  fmall ;  the  bottom  is  i 

loofe  fand ;  and  the  arch  is  formed  in  a  foft  rock,  through  the  port| 

of  which  the  moifiure  is  fiowly  exu4ated,  and  falls  in  drops  cnu 

the  fand  below. 

CIVIL    DIVISIONS. 

New-Jerfey  is  divided  into  thirteen  counties,  viz.  Cape  Mayj 
Cumberland,  Salem,  Glouceft^r,  Burlington,  Hunterdon,  and  SufleX| 
which  lie  from  fouth  to  north  on  Delaware  river.  Cape  Ma^  aod 
Gloucefter  extend  acrofs  to  the  fea  5  Bergen,  EfTex,  Middlefex,  and 
Monmouth,  which  lie  ffom  north  to  fouth  on  the  eaftexn  fide  of  the 
State;  Somerfet  and  Morris.  Thefe  counties  ?^e  fubdivided  into 
ninety-four  tov^nfliips  or  precinfts. 

CHIEF    TOWNS. 

There  are  a  number  of  towns  in  this  State,  nearly  of  equal  fire 
and  importance,  and  none  that  has  more  than  about  two  hundred 
houfes  compaftly  built.  TRftHTOK* 


t)F  new-jerseV*  371 

TRENTOK. 

Trrehtonis  one  of  the  largeft  towns  inNeW-Jerfey  and  the  capital  of 
Ac  State.     It  is  fituated  on  the  nt)rthieaft  fide  of  the  river  Delaware, 
t)ppofite  the  falls')  nearly  in  the  center  of  the  State,  from  north  to 
ibuth,  in  latitude  40®  1 5',  and  about  20'  eaft  of  the  meridian  of  Phi- 
ladelphia.   The  river  is  not  navigable  above  thefe  falls,  except  for 
Voats  which  will  carry  from  five  to  feven  hundred  bufliels  of  wheat. 
This  tow»,  with  Lamberton,  which  joins  it  on  the  fouth,  contains 
lipwards  of  two  hundred  houfcs,  befides  public  buiWings.-^Here 
tlie  legiflaturc  ftatedly  meets,  the  fupreme  court  fits,  and  moft  of 
the  public  offices  are  kept.     The  inhabitants  have  lately  eroded 
tn  handfome  court  houfe  one  hundred  feet  by  fifty,  with  a  femi-hexa- 
gon  at  each  end,  over  which  is  to  be  ia  balluftrade.     In  the  neigh* 
bourhood  of  this  pleafant  town  are  feveral  gentlemen's  feats,  finely 
£tuated  on  the  banks  of  the  Delaware,  and  ornamented  with  tafle 
and  elegance.     This  town,  being  a  thoroughfare  between  the  caflera 
parts  of  the  State  and  Philadelphia,  has  a  confiderable  inland  trade. 

BURLINGTON    CITY. 

Burlington  extends  three  miles  along  the  Delaware,  and  one 
xxiile  back,  at  right  angles,  into  the  county  of  Burlington^  and  is 
tw^ty  miles  above  Philadelphia  by  water,  and  feventeen  by  land. 
The  ifland,  which  is  the  moft  populous  pa»-t  of  the  city,  is  a  mile  and 
a  quarter  in  length,  and  three  quarters  of  a, mile  in  breadth.  It 
has  four  entrances  over  bridges  and  caufeways,  and  a  quantity  of 
bank  meadow  adjoining;  On  the  ifjand  are  about  one  hundred 
and  fixty  houfes,  and  feveral  public  buildings  ;  few  of  the  negroes 
in  this  city  are  flaves.  The  main  flreets  are  conveniently  fpar 
cious,  and  moftly  ornamented  with  trees  in  the  fronts  of  the 
houfes,  which  are  regularly  arranged.  The  Delaware,  oppofite  the 
tQwn,  is  about  a  mile  wide ;  and  under  fhelter  of  Mittinniciink  and 
Burlington  iflands,  affords  a  fafe  and  convenient  harbour.  It  is 
commodioufly  fituated  for  trade,  but  is  too  near  the  opulent  city  of 
jPhiladelphia  to  admit  of  any  confiderable  increafe  of  foreign  com« 
iiiercei  There  are  two  houfes  for  public  worfliip  in  the  town,  one 
for  the  Friends  or  Quakers,  who  are  the  moft  numerous,  and  one  for 
Epifcopalians.  The  other  public  buildings  are  two  market  houfes, 
a  court  houfe,  and  the  beft  gaol  in  the  State.  Befides  thefe,  there  is 
an  academy,  a  fx*ee  fchool*  a  nail  manufa&oryi  and  an  excellent  diftiU 

3  B  *  lery, 


37*  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

Icry,  if  that  can  be  called  excellent  which  produces  a  poifonboftcJ  Bi^^  ^ 
health  and  morals,  Wx'- 

The  city  was  a  free  port  under  the  State.     The  mayor,  rccordfiS:|  ^.d^ 
and  aldermen,  hold  a  commercial  court,  when  the  matter  in  contw 
Terfy  is  between  foreigners  and  foreigners,  or  between  foreigners  and  j?r'*^ 
citizens.     The  ifland  of  Burlington  was  laid  out,  and  the  firft  fettle* 
menis  made,  as  early  as  1677.   In  1682,  the  ifland  of  Mittinnicunk^  |pi^ 
or  Free-SchooMfland,  was  given  for  the  ufe  of  the  ifland  of  Burling- 
ton ;  the  yearly  profits  arifing  from  it,  which  amount  to  one  hundred 
and  eighty  pounds,   are  appropriated  for  the  education  of  poof 
children. 

PERTH'*AMBOT   CITT. 

Pcrth-Amboy  city  took  its  name  fro.n  James  Drummohd,  Earl  of 
Perth,  and  A  mho,  the  Indian  word  for  point,  and  Hands  on  a  neck 
of  land  included  between  Raritan  river  and  Arthur  Kill  found.  Its 
Stuation  is  high  and  healthy.  It  lies  open  to  Sandy-Hook,  and  has 
one  of  the  bell  harbours  on  the  continent.  VefTels  from  fea  may 
enter  it  in  one  tide  in  almoft  any  weather.  Great  efforts  have  been 
made,  and  Icgiflative  encouragements  offered,  to  render  it  a  place  ot 
trade,  but  without  fuccefs,.  This  town  was  early  incorporated  wich 
«ity  privileges,  and  continued  to  fend  two  members  to  the  General 
Aflembly  until  the  revolution  :  until  this  event,  it  was  tlie  capi|||l  of 
Eafl-Jerfey  5  and  the  legiflature  and  fupreme  court  ufed  to  fit  hert 
and  at  Burlington  alternately. 

BRUNSWICK   CITY, 

Bninfwick  city  was  incorporated  in  1784,  and  is  lituated  on  the 
fouth-weft  fide  of  Raritan  river,  over  which  a  fine  bridge  has  lately 
been  built,  twelve  miles  above  Amboy.  It  contains  about  two  hundred 
houfes,  and  more  than  tW(iNthoufand  inhabitants,  one  half  of  whom 
are  Dutch*  Its  fituation  is  low  and  unpleafant,  being  on  the  bank 
of  a  river,  and  under  a  high  hill  which  rifes  at  the  back  of  the  town. 
The  ice,  at  the  breaking  up  of  the  river  in  winter,  frequently  lodges 
•ti  the  (hallow  •fording  place  jufl  oppofite  the  town,  and  forms  a 
temporary  dam,  which  occafions  the  water  to  rife  many  feet  above 
its  ufual  height,  and  fometimes  to  overflow  the  lower  floors  of  thcfc 
houfes  which  are  not  guarded  againft  this  inconvenience  by  having 
their  foundations  elevated*  The  flrects  are  raifed  and  paved  with 
flone.  The  water  in  the  fprings  and  wells  is  in  general  bad.  The 
inhabitants  are  beginning  to  build  on  the  hill  above  the  town,  which 


^  #, -k 


OF    NEW-JERSEY^  .      fjf 

Very  pleafant,  and  commands  a  very  agreeable  profpe<^.  '  The 
*^Uens  have  a  confiderable  inland  trade,  qnd  feveral  ImaU  vefiBi 
^^longing  to  the  port. 

PRINCE   TOWN. 

Prince  town  is  a  pleafant  village,  of  about  eighty  houfes,  fifty-twd 
ailes  from  New-York,  and  forty-two  from  Philadelphia.  Its  pubfic 
uildings  are  a  large  college  edifice  of  ftone,  and  a  Preibyterian  church 
jilt  of  brick.    Its  fituation  is  remarkably  healthy. 

ELIZABETH    TOWN. 

Elizabeth  town  is  fifteen  miles  from  New- York.  Its  fituation  li 
-afant,  and  its  foil  equal  in  fertility  to  any  in  the  State.  In  the 
mpa<5t  part  of  the  town  there  are  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
ufes-  The  public  buildings  are  a  very  handfomc  Preibyterian  bride 
urch  lately  built,*  an  Epifcopal  church  alfo  of  brick,  and  an  aca* 
my.  This  is  one  of  the  oldeft  towns  in  the  State.  It  was  pur^ 
lafed  of  the  Indians  as  early  as  1664,  and  was  fettled  foon  after. 

NEWARK. 

Newark  is  feven  miles  from  New- York.  It  is  a  handfome^ 
3uri{hing  town,  about  the  fize  of  Elizabethtown,  and  has  two 
refbyterian  churches,  one  of  which  is  of  ftone,  and  is  the  largeft  and 
lofl  elegant  building  in  the  State.  Btiides  thefe  there  is  an  epif^ 
Dpal  church,  a  court  houfe,  and  a  gaol.  This  town  is  celebrated 
3r  the  excellence  of  its  cyder,  and  is  the  feat  of  the  largeft  fhoi 
nanufaftory  in  the  State :  the  average  number  made  daily  throu^tb* 
ut  the  year,  is  eftimated  at  about  two  hundred  pair. 

POPULATION. 

In  1745,  there  were  fixty-one  thoufand  four  hundred  and  tiiBofe 
nhabitants  in  this  State,  of  which  four  thoufand  fix  hundred  and  Ex 
Kvere  (laves:  in  1783,  the  number  was  forty-fcven  thoufand  threb 
hundred  and  fixty-nine,  of  which  three  thouiand  nine  hundred  and 
eighty-oue  were  flaves. 

In  1784,  a  cenfus  of  the  inhabitants  was  made  by  order  of  the 
legiflatwe,  when  they  amounted  to  one  hundred  and  forty  thoufand 
four  hundred  and  thirty  five,  of  which  ten  thoufand  f[vc  hundred  and 

*  Their  former  church,  wliith  wns  very  elegant,  was  burnt  in  1780  by  a  refugee,  wIm 
ViAL  a  n*n\Cf  and  an  inhabitanc  of  Elitabethtown, 

00!^ 


17^4  eEMEftAL   DESCRtPTIOft 

one  wen  blacVi :  of  thefe  blackij  one  thotifaDd  nine  hitixlrcd  m 
dtirtj-ninc  only  were  flavci;  lb  that  the  proponioa  of  flavutolbt 
tirholc  of  the  inhabitants  in  the  State  was  only  ooe  to  Itveoij-ii^ 
According  to  the  cenfui  of  17901  the  State  of  {wpul^ioa  vtun 
fialtowit 

tiuNtERboN  CoiiNty. 


_ 

-A 

-i 

1 

J 

11- 

i 

S- 

TOWNS. 

i; 

E  ^ 

JL 

1 

»1 

1 : 

£  I 

i 

1" 

I 

< 

1 

i 

Am«eU, 

1149 

■'73 

2480 

■  6 

283 

S»' 

Kingtvood,     . 

60, 

S"4 

1161 

4 

104 

14. 

Hopewell,      . 

S7v 

448 

1041 

f9 

233'     *3 

Trenton,    .    . 

49^ 

346 

841 

79 

j^zl     .9 

Alexandria,    . 

377 

401 

685 

40 

15 

Bethlehem,     . 

33> 

3=9 

'H3 

3' 

■3 

Maidenhead, 

«37 

,89 

43* 

>4 

160 

Lebanon,    .    . 

i 

RcadinjJton,  . 

\ 

1092 

919 

"033 

S8 

a68 

4; 

Tewtfbufy,   ...  J 

4966 

4379 

q)t6 

'9' 

1301    aoi 

SUSSEX 

CO 

QNT 

Y. 

Greenwich,    .... 

507 

510 

044 

10 

&4 

2C 

Oxfoid,      .    . 

47' 

468 

892 

9 

65 

t< 

Mansfield,      . 

377 

36S 

70c 

35 

1^ 

Knowlton, 

488 

4QO 

935 

IC 

Sandyfton,     , 

13' 

122 

»39 

Wantage,   ,    . 

4S9 

437 

777 

I 

a6 

i; 

Hardyfton,     . 

610 

637 

1110 

a6 

»,' 

Montague,     . 

ISO 

i»4 

24  i 

3 

»S 

Wallpaek,      . 

ny 

J  01 

*33 

30 

4 

Newton,     .    . 

i 

Independence, 

i6+t 

1681 

3"3 

16 

129 

6^ 

Haidwicke,    ...  J 

,  4963 

4939 

9094 

IS 

__i32 

'9S 

or    NEW-JEKSEV,  jiJJ 

BBRLINGTON   COUNTY. 


T0WN5, 

1^ 

1 
1 

|i 

1' 

1 

J 
S. 
J 

5 
< 

1 

■a 

Oheflerfidd,  .    .    .  " 
Noitingtiam,       .    . 
Li  Ilk-Egg- harbour 
Evedia.ii,    .... 
New-Hanover,  .    . 
Chefter,      .... 
Springfield,    .    .    . 
Northampion,    .    . 
Manfifld,      .    .    . 
Burlingion,    .    .    . 
Williamborough,  .. 

46.S 

4164 

848. 

598 

aa? 

18095 

ifizi 

4164 

8481 

S98        347 

18095 

ESSEX 

COUNTY. 

Newark ] 

Acquacknack,    .    . 
Elizabethtown,      .  J 

4339 

397* 

8143 

16c 

16 

1171 

1171 

'V'S 

4339 

397« 

814 

•7785 

MONMOUTH    COUNTY. 

Middleiown,      .    . 
Upper-Freehold,    . 
Lower- Freehold,   . 

Stafford, 

Dover, 

Sbrewlhury,  .   .   . 

8,9 

1      61G 

789 
If' 

J04 

134 

'53 
'S* 
44 
422 
3.6 

6 
10 

I 

16 

49' 
450 
6a  7 
a 
•4 

312 

3«»! 
344» 
3785 

910 

4f>73 

3843 

3678 

694 

-31 

.5,6 

■  6,,8 

93^  GENES.AL    DESCRIPTIOM 

MORRIS    COUNTY. 


Pe(|uaiiack,    . 

Roxburj-,    .    . 
Morriflown, 


4oga      31^38 


MIDDLESEX    COUNTY. 


Aiiiboy, 

Wood  bridge,      .    ,  , 

Pifcitaivav,    .    .    .  . 

fJorth-BiunfwicIt,  . 
South-Bronfwick, 

Soitth-Aiiibi.y,   .    .  , 

Wiutlior,    .    .    .    .  . 


S46,     2- 
1587      3= 


636 


GLOUCESTER    COUNTY. 


W;;terford, 
Newtown, 
Glouccft.  townfliip, 
Glouccfter  town, 
[  Deptford,  .    . 
Greenwich,    . 
Woolwich,     . 
Egg-hsubour^ 
GaUouay, 


6332    34Z 


'33*3 


31S7      3311      6231    342        i9ji  I. 


.     or.  NEWrJERSEy,      .  JJJ 

BERGEN   COUNTY. 


OWNS, 

1^ 

3 

t- 

1 
1 

1 
E. 
1 

1 
3 

3 

1 
55 

1 

rbaJoes,    .  - 
ick',   ',    '.    '. 
1,    .    .    .    . 

2B65 

1299 

4944 

192 

.301 

1.601 

2861; 

.!99 

4944 

.92 

2301 

1.601 

SOMERSET    COUNTY. 

ftown,    .    .    . 
PreciniS,  .   . 
i-Piccina,      . 
ough,    .    .    . 

i 

34S 
46i 

IMfi 

489 

lUJ 

79i 
a* 

34 
4 
8 
26 
5' 
■9 

4li 

2578 
"97 

■87s 

«8i9 

«39o 

?i,t. 

,„l     .8,0 

12296 

SALEM    COUNTY. 

gton,     .   . 

orough, 
Alloway's  1 

Wloway''s|. 

£,     .     .     . 

rove,      .    . 

?«uin'sNeck, 
Pcnn'sNeck,. 

a6;9 

1396 

48.6 

374 

72 

10437 

'<'n 

»3f 

4816 

374 

17. 

10^37 

3Q 


37* 


GENERAL    DESCSLIPTIOH 


CUMBERLAND    COUNTY. 


TOWKS. 

i 

1 

Jl 

1 
1 
1 

i 

-^ 

Greer>wich, 
Hi'pewcll, 
Stawenuk, 
Deerfield,  . 
Fairfield,    . 
Do;^ns,      . 
Maurice  river 

•  •'. 

3147 

1966 

3'n 

.38 

.30 

%'. 

2,« 

1966 

1'71 

110 

8 

CAPE    MAY    COUNTY. 

Uppei-i'recindt,     . 
Lo;vci-Precina,     . 
Middlc-Prccinct,   . 

63, 

60^ 

:  "7« 

'4      '4 

a 

6„ 

6oq 

..76 

14      141 

■ 

"     "*       ■      SUMMARY  OF  POPULATION. 

Hunterdon  Counry, 
SiiHex  do,      ... 
BuriinBCondo.    .   . 

4966 
4963 
4625 
«39 
3843 
409a 

386; 

•a.9 
.679 

«I47 
-   <>3' 

+379 

till 
3973 

3<>1» 
393« 
338s 
33>' 
3399 
3390 
.3,6 

•^ 

93>6 

9094 
848. 

7S0. 
7138 
6.33 

4944 

loil     1301I  30 

'5'      439,  '9 
W8i.     3*7,  18 
,60i     1171    .7 
3S3i     1596;  I& 

Monmouth  do. 

Middlefex  do.    ..  . 
GloHccftcrdo.  .    . 

140]     I3j8 
.W"l      ■9' 

■3; 

I3< 

tl 

Somerfctdo.      .    , 

147 
?74 
,38 
'4 

t8io 
■7' 

CumbcrUnd  do.    . 
Cape  May  do.   .  .. 

4!»S> 

4i4»6 

83.87 

.76.1  .■*.3 

1841 

OF    NEW-JERSEY.  379 

According  to  the  foregoing  flatement,  the.  average  annual  increase 

^       population  in  this  State,  fince  1 738,  has  been  two  thoufiind  fix 

^^tidred  and  thirty,  exclufive  of  emigrations,   which,  fince  t783, 

t^^ve  been  numerous  to  the  countty  weft  of  the  Allegany  mountains* 

^hefc  emigrations  will  leffen  in  proportion  ^s  the  inhabitants  ttirri 

^cir  attention  to  manufkAures* 

RELIGION  AND  CHARACTER, 

There  are  in  this  State  about  fifty  Prclbyteriaii  cottgregatidns^ 
{ub}t€t  to  the  care  of  three  Prelbyteries,  viz.  That  of  New- York,  of 
New-Brurifwick  and  Philadelphia.    A  part  of  the  charge  of  New* 
York  and  Philadelphia  Prelbyteries  lies  in  New-Jerfey,  and  part  in 
their  own  refpe£tive  States. 

Beiides  thefe,  there  -are  upwards  of  forty  congregations  of  f  ricnds^ 
thirty  of  the  Baptifts,  twenty-five  of  Epifcopalians,  twenty-eight  of 
]Dutch  Reformed,  befides  Methodifts  and  a  fettlement  of  Moravians* 

All  thefe  religious  denominations  live  together  in  peace  and  har- 
mony, and  woHhip  Almighty  God  agreeably  to  the  dictates  of  their 
own  conferences ;  they  are  not  compelled  to  attend  or  fupport  any 
wor(hip  contrary  to  their  own  faith  and  judgment*  All  frottftant 
inhabitants  of  peaceable  behaviour  are  eligible  to  the  dvil  bfHces  of 
the  State. 

Many  circumftances  concur  to  render  the  character  of  the  inhabitants 
various  in  different  parts  of  the  State.  They  are  a  collection  of  Low 
Dutch,  Germans,  Engliih,  Scotch^  Irifli,  and  New«Englanders,  or  theii^ 
defcendants*  National  attachment  and  mutual  convenience  have  gene-* 
rally  bduced  thefe  feveral  kinds  of  people  to  fettle  together  in  a 
txKiy,  and  in  this  way  their  peculiar  national  manners,  cuftoms  and 
charaders,  are  ftill  preferved,  efpecially  among  the  poorer  clafs  of 
people,  who  have  little  intercourfe  with  any  but  thofe  of  their  own 
nation.  Religion,  although  its  tendency  is  to  unite  people  in  thofc 
things  that  are  efiential  to  happinefs,  occafions  wide  differences  as 
to  manners,  cuftoms,  and  even  character.  The  Prefbyterian,  the 
Qjiaker,  the  Epifcopalian,  the  Baptift,  the  German  and  Low  Dutch 
Calvinift,  the  Methodift  and  the  Moravian,  have  each  their  diftin- 
guiihing  charaCleriftics,  either  in  their  worlhip,  their  difcipline,  or 
their  drefs.  There  is  ftill  another  charaderiftical  difference,  diftinA 
from  either  of  the  others,  which  arifes'h'om  the  intercourfe  of  the 
inhabitants  with  different  States.  The  people  in  Wcft-Jerfey  trade 
to  Philadelphia,  and  of  courfe  imitate  their  falhions  and  imbibe  their 
fnaaofis.    The  inbabicants  of  Eaft-Jerfey  trade  to  New* York,  an 

3C  »  regulate 


380  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION* 

regulate  their  ftiftiions  and  manners  according  to  thofe  inNcw-Yotki  md^ 
So  that  the  difference,  in  regard  to  falhioiis  and  manners,  betweco 
Eaft  and  Weft  Jerfey,  is  nearly  as  great  as  between  New-York  and  Ji^sri 
Philadelphia,     Add  to  all  thefe  the  differences  common  in  all  com- 
(lies,  arifing  from  the  various  occupations  of  men,  ftith  as  the  ci-  I  Ti 
vilian,    the   divine,   the  lawyer,  tlie  phyfician,  the  mechanic;  the 
clownifh,  and  the  refpeftable  farmer,  all  of  whom  have  different 
purfuits,    or    purfue    the    fame  thing  differently,   and  of  courfe 
muft  have  different  ideas  and  manners.    When  we  take  into  view  all 
fhefe  differences,  (and  all  thefe  differences  exift  in  New- Jerfey,  and 
many  of  them  in  all  the' other  States)  it  cannot  be  expected  that 
many  general  obfervations  will  apply.    It  may,  however,  in  truth 
he  faid,  that  the  people  of  New- Jerfey  are  generally  induftrious, 
frugal  and  hofpitable.    There  artf,  comparatively,  but  few  men  oi 
learning  in  the  State,  nor  can  it  be  faid,  that  the  people  in  generai 
have  a  tafte  for  the  fcience^.     The  poorer  ckfs,  in  which  may  be  in- 
cluded a^  donfidefable  proportion  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  whole 
•  State,  Bare  been  inattentive  to  the  education  of  their  children,  whoa r« 
but  too  generally  left  to  grow  up  in  ignorance.  There  are,  however,  ^ 
number  of  gentlemen  of  the  firft  rank  in  abilities  and  learning  in  t' 
civil  offices  of  the  State,  and  in  the  feveral  learned  profeffions. 

It  is  not  the  bufinds  of  a  geographer  to  compliment  the  ladies,  n.^ 
would  we  be  thought  to  do  it  when  we  fay,  that  there  is  at  leaft 
great  a  number  of  induftrious,  difbreet,  amiable,  genteel  and-hai»- 
fome  women  in  Ncw-Jerfey,  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  in! 
bitants,  as  in  any  of  the  Thirteen  States, 

MANUFACTURES,  TRADE,  &c.     - 

The  trade  of  this  State  is  carded  on  almoft  folely  with  and  fr(^^ 
tliofe  two  great  commercial  cities,  New- York  on  one  fide,  andFln'' 
hidelphia  on  the  other,  though  it  wants  not  good  ports  of  its  owo* 
Several  attempts  have  been  made  by  the  legiilature  to  fecure  to  the 
State  its  owti  natural  advantages^  by  granting  extraordinary  privi- 
'    leges  to  merchants  who  would 'fettle  at.Amboy  and  Burlington,  two 
very  commodious  ports.    But  the  people  having  long  been  accuf* 
tomed  to  fend  their  produce  to  the  markets  of  Philadelphia  and 
New- York,  and  of  courfe  having  their  correfpondencies  eftabliflied, 
and  their  mode  of  dealing  fixed,  they  find  it  difficult  to  tum  their 
trade  from  the  old  channel,    Befides,  in  thefe  large  cities,  whcre- 
are  fo  many  able  merchants>r  and  fo  many  want?  to  be  ibpplied^ 

fifttdin 


or    NEW-JERSEY.  381 

*dits  are  more  eafily  obtained,  and  a  better  and  quicker  marlcet  is 
und  for  produce  than  could  be  expedted  in  towns  lefs  populous  and 
>uri(hing.  Thefc  and  other  c^ufes  of  the  lame  kind  have  hitherto 
Jeered  abortive  the  encouragements  held  out  by  the  legiflature. 
The  articles  exported,  beildes  thofe  already  mentioned,  arewhcaf^ 
^ur,  horfes,  lire  cattle,  hams,  which  are  celebrated  as  being  amon^; 
^  beft  in  the  world,  lumber,  flax-feed,  leather,  iron  in  great  quan*- 
^les,  in  pigs  and  bars,  and  formerly  copper  ore;  but  the  minef 
^vc  not  been  worked  fince  the  commencement  of  the  late  war. 
"^e  imports  conflft  chiefly  of  Weft-India  goods. 

The  mamifajftures  of  this  State  have  hitherto  been  very  incon- 
^erable,  not  fufficient  to  fopply  its  own  confumption,  if  we  except 
'^  articles  of  iron,  nails  and  leather.  A  fpirit  of  induftry  and  im* 
dement,  particularly  in  manufadures,  has^  however,  greatly  iu- 
•^^d  in  the  four  laft  years.     Moft  of  the  femilies  in  the  country, 

niany  in  the  populous  towns,   are  clothed  in  ftrong,  decent 
^O^un ;  and  it  is  a  happy  circumftance  for  the  countr}',  that  thi* 
'   -^nierican  drefs  is  every  day  growing  more  fafliionable,  not 
*'^  this  butin  all  the  States. 

*^*"enton, Newark  and  Elizabeth-Town  are  feveral  very  valmabte 
j^^'<3&,  v^'here  leather  in  large  quantities,  and  of  an  excellent  qua* 
^^     made  and  exported  to  the  neighbouring  markets.     Steel  was 

'^tSlured  at  Trenton  in  the  time  of  the  war,  but  notconfidera- 

^^louceftcr  county  is  a  glafs-houfe.    Paper-mills  and  oall-ma- 

^Ories  are  ereded  and  worked  to  good  advantage  in  feveral  part« 
"^^  State.  Wheat  alfo  is  manufactured  into  flour,  and  Indian 
Into  meal,  to  good  account,  in  the  weftern  counties",  where 
"^t  is  the  ftaple  commodity-  But  the  iron  manufacture  is  of  all 
^t-s  the  greateft  fource  of  wealth  to  the  State.  Iron  works  arc 
'^ed  in  Gloucefter,  Burlington,  Suflex,  Morris,  and  other  cwan- 
s.     The  mountains  in  the  county  of  Morris  give  rife  to  a  number 

ftreams  necefTary  and  convenient  for  thefe  works,  and  at  the  fame 
ne  fiirnifii  a  copious  fupply  of  wood  and  ore  of  a  fuperior  quality. 

this  county  alone  are  no  lefs  than  feven  rich  iron  mines,  from 
lich  might  be  taken  ore  fufficient  to  fupply  the  United  States ;  and 

work  it  into  iron  ar^  two  furnaces,  two  rolling  and  flitting  milk, 
d  about  thirty  forges,  containing  from  two  to  four  fires  each, 
lefe  works  produce  annually  about  five  hundred  and  forty  tons  of 
r  ironi  eight  hundred  tons  of  pig,  beiides  large  quantities  of  hoi- 

J  low 


38z  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

low  ware,  (heet  iron  and  nail  rods.    In  the  whole  State,  iti8&lp> 
pofed  there  is  yearly  made  about  twelve  hundred  tons  of  bar  iron, 
twelve  hundred  tons  of  pig,  eight  hunderd  tons  of  nail  ibds,  excMva  ^Ib 
of  hollow  ware,  and  various  other  callings,  of  which  vaft  quantitti 

made* 

Early  in  the  late  war,  a  powder-mill  was  erected  in  Monriflx)wnby 
Colonel  Ford,  who  was  enabled,  by  the  ample  fupply  of  ialt-petit 
furntlhed  by  the  patriotic  inhabitants,  to  make  a  coniQderable  quan* 
tity  of  that  valuable  and  neceiTary  article,  at  a  time  when  it  was  mo& 
needed ;  and  when  the  enemy  were  at  the  door  it  afforded  a  timdy 

fupply. 

A  manufia£turing  company  was  incorporated,  in  1791,  by  thelc* 

giflature  of  this  State,  and  favoured  with  very  great  privileges.    The 

better  to  encourage  every  kind  of  manufacture,  a  fubfcription  wa 

opened,  under  the  patronage  of  the  fecretary  of  the  treafury  of  the 

United  States,  for  this  important  fervice.    Each  fubfcriber  promifed 

to  pay,  for  every  (liare  annexed  to  his  name,  four  hundred  dollan 

to  the  truilees  appointed  to  receive  it.    A  fum  of  upwards  of  five 

hundred  thoufand  dollars  was  almoft  immediately  fubfcribed,  and  the 

directors  of  the  alTociation  have  fince  taken  the  proper  meafures  to 

carry  into  effect  their  extenfive  plan.    They  have  fixed  on  the  Great 

Falls  in  PaiTaik  river,  and  the  ground  adjoining,  for  the  eredion  of 

xnllls,  and  the  town,  which  they  call  Paterfon,  in  honour  of  the 

prefent  governor  of  New-Jerfey.     Every  advantage  appears  to  be 

concentrated  in  this  delightful  fituation,  to  make  it  one  of  the  moft 

eligible  in  the  United  States  for  the  permanent  eflablifhment  of  ma* 

nufa6tures.    Already  a  large  fum  of  money  has  been  expended,  and 

t)ie  works  are  in  fonvardnefs. 

Although  the  bulk  of  the  inhabitants  in  this  State  are  farmers,  yet 

agriculture  has  not  been  improved  (a  few  inftances  excepted)  to  that 

degree,  which  from  long  experience  we  might  rationally  expe6^,  and 

which  the  fertility  of  the  foil,  in  many  places,  feems  to  encourage*- 

A  great  part  of  the  inhabitants  are  Dutch,  who,  although  they  are 

in  general  neat  and  induftrious  farmers,  have  very  little  enterpri(<^ 

and  feldom  adopt  any  new  improvements  in  hufbandry,  becaufe, 

through  habits  and  want  of  education  to  expand  and  liberalife  their 

minds,  they  think  their  old  modes  of  tilling  the  bed.     Indeed,  this 

is  the  cafe  with  the  great  body  of  the  common  people,  and  proves  at» 

moft  an  infurmoun;;able  obfiacle  to  agricultural  improvements. 

UTE- 


\: 


OF    KEW-JERSEY*  3l?3 

LITERATURE,  IMPROVEMENTS,  &c. 

There  are  two  colleges  in  New-Jerfey ;  one  at  Prince  town,  called 

^aflau-Hall ;  the  other  at  Brunfwick,  called  Queen's  College.    The 

allege  at  Prince  town  was  firft  foimded  by  charter  from  John  HamiU 

^n,  Efq.  Prefident  of  the  Council,  about  the  year  1738,  and  en- 

'     ^Urged  by  Governor  Belcher  in  1747.   The  charter  delegates  a  power 

^f  granting  to  "  the  lludents  of  faid  college,  or  to  any  others  thought 

Urorthy  of  them,  all  fuch  degrees  as  are  granted  in  either  of  the  uni- 

•     terfities,  or  any  other  coUege  in  Great-Britain."     It  has  twenty -three 

!•'   truftees.     The  governor  of  the  State,  and  the  prefident  of  the  col- 

^IcgG  are,  ex  qfflciis^  two  of  them.    It  has  an  annual  income  of  about 

^    nine  hilndred  pounds  currency,  of  which  two  hundred  pounds  arife 

\    from  funded  public  fee  unties  and  lands,  and  the  red  from  the  fees  of 

^   the  iludents. 

The  prefident  of  the  college  is  alfo  profeflTor  of  eloquence,  criti- 
cifm  and  chronology.  The  vice-prefident  is  alfo  profeflbr  of  divinity 
sind  moral  jAilofophy.  There  is  alfo  a  profeflbr  of  mathematics 
and  natui^l  philofophy,  and  two  mailers  of  languages.  The  four 
clafles  in  college  contain  commonly  from  feventy  to  one  hundred  ftu- 
dents.  There  is  a  grammar-fchbol  of  about  twenty  fcholars,  con- 
ne^d  with  the  college,  under  the  ftiperintendance  of  the  prefident, 
and  taught  fometimes  by  a  fenior  fcholar,  and  fometimes  by  a 
graduate. 

Before  the  war,  this  college  was  furniflied  with  a  philofophical 
apparatus,  worth  five  hundred  pounds,  which  (except  the  elegant 
orrery  conftru61ted  by  Mr.  RittenhoufeJ  was  almoft  entirely  deflroyed« 
}^y  the  Brjtifii  army  in  the  late  war^  as  was  alio  the  library,  which 
pow  confiils  of  between  two  and  three  thouland  volumes. 

Th^  college  edifice  is  handfomely  built  with  flone,  and  is  one  hun* 
dred  and  eighty  feet  in  length,  fifty-four  in  breadth,  and  four  ftories 
high,  and  is  divided  into  forty-two  convenient  chambers  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  the  fludents,  befides  a  dining-hall,  chapel,  and  roon^ 
for  the  library.  Its  fituation  is  elevated,  and  exceedingly  pleafant 
and  healthful.  It  is  remarkable,  that  fince  the  removal  of  the  college 
%o  Prince  town,  in  1756,  there  have  been  but  fist  or  fix  deaths  among 
the  ftudents*  The  yiev/  frpn>  the  college  balcony  is  extenfive  and 
charming. 

The 


I 


3S4  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

The  college  has  beep  under  the  care  of  a  fucceffion  of  prcfidcnlSi   ■  ur  j 
eminent  for  piety  and  learning,  and  has  furoiibed  a  nvmber  o(  d-  flr 
Lilians,  divines  and  phyficians,  of  the  firlt  rank  in  America.  md(\ 

The  charter  for  Queen's  College,  at  Brunfwick,  -was  gnrntedjnft  ■  ^^^ 
before  the  war,  in  confequence  of  an  application  from  a  body  of  tbe  1^^^ 
Dutch  church.  Its  funds,  raifed  wholly  by  free  donations,  amount*  l^gr 
cd,  foon  after  its  cflablifliment,  to  four  thoufand  pounds,  but  the;  \^\. 
were  confiderably  dimiuiihed  by  the  war.  The  grammar-fcbool,  mi^ 
which  is  connetfted  with  the  college,  con  fifts  of  between  thirty  and  ^t 
forty  fludents,  under  the  care  of  the  trufiees,  Tbc  college  at  prefect 
is  not  in  a  very  flourifliing  (late. 

There  are  a  number  of  good  academies  in  this  State;  one  at  Free- 
hold in  the  county  of  Monmouth ;  another  at  Trenton,  in  which  arc 
about  eighty  ftudents  in  the  different  branches ;  it  has  a  fund  of  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  per  annum,  ariiing  from  the  intereft 
on  public  fecurities;  another  in  Hackinfack,  in  the  county  of  Ber* 
gen,  of  upw;ards  of  an  hundred  fcholars  ;  in(bi}6tioD  and  board  are 
.fcid  to  be  cheaper  here  than  in  any  other  part  of  the  Sta%.     There 
is  another  flourifhing  academy  at  Orangedale,  in  the  county  of  Effex, 
coniifling  of  nearly  as  many  fcholars  as  any  of  the  others,  fumifbed 
with  able  inftrudlors  and  good  apcommodatioris.    Another  has  lately 
been  opened  at  Elizabeth  town,  and  confifts  of  upwards  of  twenty 
fludents  in  the  languages,  and  is  increafing.    An  academy,  by  the 
name  of  Burlington  academy,  has  lately  been  eilabliihed  aLft[»Burling« 
ton,  under  the  direction  of  feven  tniflees,  and.  the  inftru6libn  of  two 
preceptors.    The  fyflem  of  education  adopted  in  this  academy  is  dc- 
figned  to  prepare  the  fcholars  for  the  fhidy  of  the  more  difficult  daflSc^ 
and  the  higher  branches  of  fcience  in  a  college  or  univerfity.    At 
Newark,  an  academy  was  founded  in  June   1792,  and  proiniies  to 
be  a  ufeful  inflitution.     Befides  thefe,  there  are  grammar  fchools  at 
gpringficld,  Mon  iftown,  Bordentown,  Amboy,  &c.    There  arc  no 
regular  ellablifhments  for  common  fchools  in  the  State.     The  ufuat 
mode  of  education  r  for  the  inhabitants  of  a  village  or  neighbour- 
hood to  join  in  aifording  a  temporary  fupport  for  a  fchoolmafler, 
iipon  fuch  terms  as  are  mutually  agreeable.     But  the  encouragemen|; 
which  thefe  occafional  teachers  meet  with,  is  generally  fuch,  as  that 
no  perfon  of  abilities  adequate  to  the  bufinefs  will  undertake  it;  anc| 
of  courfe,  little  advantage  is  derived  from  thefe  fchools.  *  The  im- 
provement in  thefe  common  fchools  is  generally  in  proportion  to  the 
pay  of  the  teacher.    It  is  therefore  much  to  be  regretted  that  the 

(ej^ifjaturc 


K>t    NiEW-JERSEY.     *  385 

^giflaturc  do  not  take  up  this  fubjecSi:,!  and.  adopt  fuch  mcthpd  of 
'^Pporting*  public  fchools  as  has  been  pi*a6lifed  upoii  with  vifibl©. 
SqqcI  fucccfs  in  fome  of  the  New-England  States* 

"There  is  a  medical  foCiety  in  this  State,  confiftiqg  of  about  thirty 
^f  their  moft  refpedbble  phyficians,  whio  meet  twice  a  year.  No 
t^rfon  is  admitted  to  the  practice  of  phyfic  without  a  licence  from 
^e  fupreme  court,  founded  on  a  certificate  from  this  fociety,  or  it 
leaft  two  of  its  members^  teftit'ying  his  fkill  and  abilities.  It  is.  re* 
ttarkable,  that  in  the  county  of  Cape  May  no  regular  ph}  ficLui  haa 
•ever  found  fupport.  Medicine  has  been  adminiflered  by  ^  omen,  ex^ 
cept  in  foine  extraordinary  cafes,  - 

CONSTITUTION. 

The  following  is  the  conftitution  of  this  State : 

^Whereas  all  the  conftitutional  authority  ever  poflefled  by  the  kings 
t>f  Great-Britain  over  ihefe  colonies,  or  their  other  dominions,  was 
'  hy  compaft  derived  from  the  people,  and  held  of  them  for  the  com* 
men  interefl  of  the  whole  fociety,  allegiance  and  prote(^ion  are,  in 
the  nature  of  things,,  reciprocal  ties,  each  equally  depending  upoii 
the  other,  ^d  liable  to  be  diflblved  by  the  over's  being  refufed  of 
ivithdrawn.  And  whereas  Geoi;;'Tc  the  Third,  King  of  Great-Britain, 
.has  refufed  protection  to  the  good  people  of  thefe  colonies  ^  and, 
by  affenting  to  fundry  aiSls  pf  the  Britifli  Parliament,  attempted  to 
fubjedt  them  to  the  abfolute  dominion  of  that  body ;  and  has  alfo 
made  war  upon  them  in  the  moil  cruel  and  unnatural  manner,  for 
no  other  caufe  than  ailerting  their  juft  rights  ;  all  civil  authority 
under  liim  is  neceifarily  at  an  end,  and  a  diffolution  of  government 
in  each  colony  has  confequently  taken  place. 

And  whereas  in  the  prcfent  deplorable  fituation  of  thefe  colonies, 
cxpofed  to  the  fury  of  a  cruel  and  relen tie fs  enemy,  fome  form  of 
government  is  abfolutely  neceflary,  not  only  for  the  prefervation  of 
good  order,  but  alfo  the  more  effedualiy  to  unite  the  people,  and 
enable  them  to  exert  their  whole  force  in  their  own  neceflliry  de- 
fence ;  and  as  the  honourable  the  Continental  Congrefs,  the  fupren^e 
council  of  the  American  colonies,  has  advifed  fuch  of  the  colonies 
us  have  not  yet  gone  into  the  meafure,  to  adopt  for  themfelves  re-  . 
!^£tively  fuch  government  as  flialJ  beft  conduce  to  their  ^wn  hap- 
pinefs  and  fafety,  and  the  well-being  ot  America  in  general ;  we,  the 
.reprcfiintatives  of  the  colony  of  New-Jerfey,  having  been  eleded  by 
all  the  counties  in  the  free  ft  manner,  and  in  Congrefs  allembled^ 

Vol.11.  3  D  have. 


J88  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

to  criminals  after  condemnation,  in  all  cafes  of  treaibni  felony,  et  |l^^] 
other  offctices.  W^ 

X.  That  captains,  and  all  other  inferior  officers  of  the  militia,  M  I  ^^- 
be  chofen  by  the  companies  in  the  refpedive  counties  ;  but  field  ad  1^^  ^ 
general  officers  by  the  Council  and  AiTembly.  ,         I'"" ' 

"    XI.  That  the  Council  and  Affcmbly  fhall  have  power  to  make  the  |?|^ 
great  feal  of  this  colony,  which  fhall  be  kept  by  the  governor,  oril  I*!;  ' 
his  abfence,  by  the  vicc-prefident  of  the  council,  to  be  ufedbythem  W, 
ei  occafion  may  require;  and  it  ihail  be  called,  tbe  great  feal  tfth 
€olony  of  Nev^^'Jcrfey. 

*   XII.  That  the  judges  of  the  fupreme  court  fliall  continue  in  office 
Tor  feven   years ;    the  judges   of  the  inferior  court  of  commoa 
pleas  in  the  feveral  counties,  juftices  of  the  peace,  clerks  of  the  fu- 
preme court,   clerks  of  the  inferior  court  of-  common  pleas  and 
<]uarter   feffions,    the    attorney-general,    and  provincial .  fecretary^ 
Aiall  continue  in  oiBce  for  five  years ;  and  the  provincial  treafurer 
fliall  continue  in  office  for  one  year  ;  and  that  they  fhall  be,  Severally 
8p]X)inted  by  the  Council -and  AiTembly  in  manner  aforefaid,  and 
coAnmiflSoned  by  the  governor,  or  in  bis  abfence  the  vice-eprefideot 
of  the  council.    Provided  always,    that  the  laid  ofiicers  feverally, 
(hall  be  capable  of  being  re-appointed  at  the  end  of  the  terms  feverally 
before  li<ihi.ted ;  and  that  any  of  the  faid  officers  fliall  be  liable  to  be 
difmillbd,  when  adjudged  guilty  of  mi fbehaviourj  by  theCcruncilon 
%ti  impeachment  of  the  Affembly.    * 

'  XIII.  That'the  inhabitants  of^ach  county,  qualified  to  vote  as  afbrc* 
laid,  fhall,-  at  the  time  and  place  of  electing  their  reprefent^tives,  an- 
nu^lly  ele^t  one  fheriff,  and  one  or  nwre  coroners;  and  that  they 
inay  •r€-<^e£b  the  fam^^perlbn  to  fuch  offices  until  he  fhall  have  ierved 
three  years,  but  no  longer  ;  after  which  three  years  mufl  elapfe  be^ 
-foffe  the  fame  petfon  is  capable  *  of  being  ele^ed  again.  .When  the 
•^*<ftion  is  certified  to  the  governor  or  vice-prefident,  under  the  hands 
•'Of  fix  freeholders  of  the  county  for  which  they  wecer  cie^^ed,  they 
i\\^\\  be  iimmediately  corniniffioned:tQ.'ferve  ia  their- irip^ive  of« 

"»  XIV.  That  the  townj(hips,  at  their  annual  town  meetings  foreled* 
jng  other  officers,  fliall  chuTe  conftables  for  the  diflri^  ceipe^vdy^ 
9nd  alfo' three  or  more  judicious  freeholder  of  goad  charadtec,  to 
hear  and  finally  determine  all'  appe^ils  relative  to  unjull:  affeffinents 
in  caies  of.  public  taxation.;  which  coxnmiffioners  of  appeal  ihalli 
for  th^t  |)urpore^    fit   at-  foflfie.  Citable  time  pr  times  to  be  bjf 


OF    NEW-JERSEY,  389 

ttiem  appointed,    and  rnade  known  to  the  people  by  advertife* 
*«ients. 

XV.  That  the  laws,  of  tha-colony  (hall  begin  in  the  following  (lile^ 

^^2.    Be  it  enaSied  hy  the  Council  and  General  Ajjcmhly  ef  this  tolony^ 

^^d  it  is  hereby  enabled  hy  authority  q/ the  fame :  that  all  commiinoas 

Slanted  by  the  governor  or  vice-prefident  fhall  run  thus,  The  colony 

^f  NeiAj'Jfr/ey^  to  A.  B.  &c.  greeting  ;  and  that  all  writs  fliall  like- 

^ife  run  in  the  name  of  the  colony :  and  that  all  indidments  fliall 

conclude  in  the  following  manner,  viz.  Againfi  the  peace  of  this  colany^ 

the  government  and  dignity  of  the  fame, 

XVI.  That  all  criminals  fliall  be  admitted  to  the  fame  pri- 
vileges of  witnefTes  and  counfcj,  as  their  profecutors  are. or  fliall  b<r 

jcntitled  to. 

XVII.  That  the  eftates  of  fudi  perfons  as  fliall  deftroy  their  own 
lives  fliall  not,  for  that  oficnce,  be  forfeited,  but  fliall  deicend  in  the 
iame«  manner  as  they  would  have  done,  had  fuch  perfons  died  in  the 
patural  way ;  nor  fliall  any  article  which  may  occafion  accidentally  the 
death  of  any  one,  be  henceforth  deemed  a  deodand,  or  in  any  wiife 

'forfeited  on  account  of  fuch  misfortunes. 

XVIII.  That  no  perfon  fliall  ever  within  this  colony  be  deprived  of 
the  ineftimable  privilege  of  worfliipping  Almighty  God.inaman* 
ner  agreeable  to  the  didates  of  his  own  confcience ;  nor  under  any 
pretence  whatever  be  compelled  to  attend  atiy  place  of  worfliip,  con- 
trary to  his  own  faith  and  judgmen: ;  nor  fliall  any  perfon  within  this 
colony  ever  be  obliged  to  pay  tithes,  taxes,  or  any  other  rates,  for  the 
purpofe  of  building  or  repairing  any  other  church  or  churches,  place 
ox  places  of  worfliip,  or  for  the  maintenance  of  any  minifler  or  mi^ 
piftry,  contrary  to  what  he  believes  to  be  right,  or  has  deliberately  or 
voluntarily  engaged  himfelf  to  pertorm, 

XIX.  That  there  fliall  be  no  eftabliflimentofany  one  religbus  feft 
|n  this  province,  in  preference  to  another;  and  that  no  Proteilant  inha^* 
bitant  of  this  colony  fliall  be  denied  the  enjoyment  of  any  civil  right, 
nierely  on  account  of  his  religious  principles  ;  but  that  all  perfons, 
profelfi[)g  a  belief  in  the  faith  of  any  Proteftant  fed,  who  fliall  demeaii 
themfejves  peaceably  under  the  government  as  hereby  eflabliflied, 
■ihall  be-  capable  of  bemg  ele(^ed  inro  any  ofhce  of  profit  or  truft,  or 
being  a  member  of  either  branch  of  the  legiflature;  and  fliall  fully 
und  freely  enjoy  every  privilege  and  ii^munity  enjoyed  by  others  their 

-fp^l€j1fir  fubje^s,    . 

'■        ^       \  XX.  That 


390  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

XX.  That  the  legiflative  department  of  this  goverament  may,  ^  I  , 
much  as  poifible,  be  preferved  from  all  fufpicion  of  corruption,  none 
of  the  judges  of  the  fupremeor  other  courts,  fheriffs,  or  any  other 
perfon  or  pcrfons  poiTclTed  of  any  poft  of  profit  under  the  gpvenw 
ment,  other  than  juftices  of  the  peace,  {ball  be  entitled' to  a  feat  in  the  I 
AiTembly  ;  but  that  on  his  being  elected  and  taking  his  feat,  Us  of*  I 
£ce  or  poft  fhall  be  confidered  as  vacant.  I 

XXL  That  all  the  laws  of  this  province  contained  in  the  editioR 
.ately  publiihed  by  Mr.  Allinfon,  iliall  be  and  remain  in  full  force, 
until  altered  by  the  legillature  of  this  colony,  fuch  only  excepted « 
are  incompatible  with  this  chatter,  and  iliall  be,  according  as  hereto- 
fore, regarried  in  all  refpe^ts  by  all  civil  officers,  and  others  thegool 
people  of  this  province. 

XXII.  That  the  common  law  of  England,  as  well  as  fo  much  d 
the  ilatute  law  as  has  been  heretofore  pradtifed  in  this  colony,  ihall 
Aill  remain  in  force,  until  they  ihall  be  altered  by  a  future  law  of  the 
legiilature ;  fiKh  parts  only  excepted  as  are  repugnant  to  the  rights  and 
privileges  contained  in  this  charter;  and  that  the  ipeftimable  right  of 
trial  by  jury  fhall  remain  confirmed,  as  a  part  of  the  law  of  this  co- 
lony, without  repeal  for  ever. 

XXin.  That  every  perfon  wlio  iliall  be  eleded  as  aforefaid  to  be  a 
member  of  the  Legiflative  Council  or  Houfe  of  AiTembty,  Iball,  pre- 
vious to  his  taking  his  feat  in  Councilor  Afiembly,  take  the  following 
mth  or  aflirmation,  via* 

"^  I  A.  B.  do  folemnly  declare,  that  as  a  member  of  the  Legiflative 
Council  or  Affembly,  as  the  cafe  may  be,  of  the  colony  of  New- 
Jerfey,  I  will  not  afTent  to  any  law,  vote,  or  proceeding,  Which  fhall 
a(>pear  to  me  injurious  to  the  public  welfare  of  faid  colony  ;  nor  that 
Ihall  annul  or  repeal  that  part  of  the  third  fe^ion  in  the  charter  of 
this  colony,  which  eflabliihes  that  the  eledions  of  members  of  the 
Legiflative  Council  and  Af&mbly  fliall  be  annual ;  nor  that  part  of 
the  twentj'-fecond  fe<ftion  in  faid  charter,  refpe<5ting  the  trial  by  jury, 
nor  that  fliall  annul,  repeal,  or  alter  any  part  or  parts  of  the  eigb* 
teenth  or  nineteenth  fedions  of  the  lame." 

And  any  perfon  or  perfons  who  fliall  be  eletSted  as  aforefaid,  ift 
hereby  im powered  to  adminifler  to  the  faid  members  the  faid  oath,  or 
afhrmation. 

Trovided  always,  that  it  is  the  true  .intent  and  meaning  of  tbii 
congrefs,  that  if  a  reconciliation  between  Great-Britain  iq  tbeie  coli^ 
nies  fhould  take  place,  and  the  latter  be  taken  again  under  the  pn>tec- 

X  tioo 


OF    NEW-JER&EY.  39I 

^6n  and  goyerament  of  the  crown  of  Britain,  this  charter  OidJA  be  null 
^nd  void,  otherwife  to  remain  firm  and  inviolable. 

COURTS  OF  JUSTICE,   LAWS,  &c 

The  courts  of  juftice  in  this  State  are,  firft,  Juftices  Courts.  A 
^mpetent  number -ofperfons  are  appointed  in  each  county  by  the 
"Council  and  AiTembly  in  joint  meeting,  who  are  called  juftices  of  the 

■ 

Peace,  and  <tohtinue  in  ofHce  five  years  ;  who,  beiides  being  conier- 
^ators  of  the  peace,  agreeably  to  the  Englifh  laws,  are  authorized 
to  hold  courts  for  the  trial  of  caufes  under  twelve  pounds^ 
^rom  this  court,  perfons  aggrieved  may  appeid  to  the  quarter 
&i9ions. 

Secondly,  Courts  of  Quarter  Seflions  of  the  Peace  arc  held  quar^ 
lerly  in  every  county,  by  at  leafl  three  of  the  juftices.  This  court 
takes  cognizance  of  breaches  of  the  peace,  and  is  generally  regulated 
by  the  rules  of  the  Englifli  law. 

Thirdly,  Courts  of  Common  Pleas,  which  are  held  quarterly  by 
judges  appointed  for  that  purpofe,  in  the  fame  manner  as  the  jui^ 
Cic^s  of  the  peace,  and  who  are  commonly  of  their  number,  and  hold 
their  commiilions  five  years.  This  court  may  be  held  by  a  fingle 
judge,  and  has.  cognizance  of  demands  to  any  amount,  and  is 
4X>n{lru^ed    on*    and  governed  by  the  principle  of  the  Englilh 

i^ws. 

Fourthly,  Supreme  Courts,  which  are  held  four  times  in  a  year, 
sit  Trenton,  by  three  judges  appointed  for  that  purpofe,  who  hold 
their  offices  three  years  ;  but  one  judge  only  is  necefTary  to  the  hold- 
ing this  court.  This  court  has  cognizance  of  all  a6tions,  both  civil  and 
crinEiinal,  throughout  the  State,  having  the  united  authority  of  the 
courts  of  king's  bench,  common  pleas,  and  exchequer  in  England.  The 
courts  of  oyer  and  terminer  and  nifi  prius,  commonly  held  once  a 
year  in  each  county,  for  the  trial^pf  caufes  arifing  in  the  county,  and 
brought  tp  ifliie  in  the  fupreme  court,  are  properly  branches  of  this 
court,  and  are  held  by  one  of  the  judges  of  it,  except  that  in  the  courts 
of  oyer  and  terminer,  fome  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  county  are  always 
added  in  the  commiffion  as  alliilants  to  the  judge;   but  they  cannot 
hold  the  court  without  him. 

Fifthly,  Orphan's  Courts,  lately  eftabliflied  by  aft  of  AfTembly, 
are  held  by  the  judges  of  the  court  of  common  pleafs,  ex  officHs^ 
and  have  cognizance  of  all  matters  relating  to  wills,  adminiftra- 
tions,  &c« 

Sixthly, 


39^  GENERAL    PESCklPtlOM 

Sixthly,  Court  of  Chancery,  held  by  the  governor  ex  ojficlo^  Sl* 
lurays  open.  It  is  a  court  of  law  and  equity>  founded  on  the  fam^ 
principles,  and  governed  by  the  faitic  rules  as  the  court  of  chancer/ 
in  England. 

Seventhly,  High  Court  of  Errors  and  Appeals,  compofedofthe 
governor,  and  feven  of  the  council,  and  is  a  court  of  appeals  in  tbt 
kft  refort  in  all  cafes  of  law. 

All  the  Englifli  laws  which  have  been  pra£tifed  upon  in  the  State, 
and  which  are  not  repugnant  to  revolution  principles,  were  adopted 
by  the  conftitution,  and  very  few  alterations  of  confequencc  hav« 
fince  been  made,  except  in  the  defcent  of  the  real  eflares,  which,  in- 
ftead  of  defcending  to  the  eldeft  fon,  agreeable  to  the  old  feudal  fyf* 
tern,  as  formerly,  are  now  divided,  where  there  is  no  will,  two 
ihares  to  each  fon,  and  one  fl^are  to  each  daughter,  i.  e.  the  fons  have 
double  the  daughter's  portions,  but  all  the  fons  have  equal  portion^ 
and  all  the  daughters. 

Noperfon  is  permitted  to  pradtife  as  an  attorney  in  any  court  with- 
out a  licence  from  the  governor*  This  cannat^e  obtained  unlefs  the 
candidate  ftiould  be  above  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  fliall  have 
ferved  a  regular  clerkfliip  with  fome  licenfed  attorney  for  four  yean, 
and  have  taken  a  degree  in  fome  public  college,  otherwife  he  muft 
ferve  five  years.  This  regulation  is  confideVed  by  fome  as  a  depre* 
cialion  of  rights  in  regard  to  citizens  of  other  States,  and  a  bar  to  the 
progrefs  of  knowledge.  He  muft  alfo  fubmit  to  an  examination  by 
three  of  the  moil  eminent  counfellors  in  the  State,  in  the  prefence  of 
the  judges  of  the  fupreme  court.  After  three  years  praftice  as  an  at* 
tomey,  he  becomes  a  candidate  for  a  counfellot's  licence,  which  i« 
granted  on  a  like  examination.  Many  of  the  people  bene,  however, 
as  in  other  States,  think,  becaufe  perhaps  they  are  inftruments  in 
obliging  them  to  pay  their  debts,  that  the  lawyers  know  too  much* 
But  their  knowledge  will  not  injure  thofe  who  are  innocent,  and 
who  will  let  them  alone.  Experience  has  verified  this  obfervation  in 
the  county  of  Cape  May.  No  lawyer  lives  within  fixty  miles  of  that 
county,  and  it  is  feklom  that  they  attend  their  couits, 

MILITARY  STRENGTH. 

The  militafy  ftrength  of  New-Jerfey  confifls  of  a  militia,  ofbc« 
tween  thirty  and  forty  thoufand  men. 

This  State  was  the  feat  of  war  for  feveral  years,  during  tlic  conteft 
between  Great-Britain  and  America*    Her  lofTes  both  of  men  and 

property, 


bF    NEW-JERSEY;  393 

lirty,  in  proportion  to  the  population  and  wealth  of  the  State,  wai 
;r  than  any  other  of  the  thirteen  States,  When  General  Wafh- 
1  was  retreating  through  the  Jerfeys,  almoft  forfakcn  by  all 
s,  her  militia  were  at  all  times  obedient  to  his  orders  ;  and  for 
ifiderablc  length  of  time,  compofed  the  ftreilgth  of  his  army; 
e  is  hardly  a  town  in  the  State  that  lay  in  the  progrefs  of  thf 
b  army,  that  was  not  rendered  fignal  by  fome  enterprize  or  cx« 
At  Trenton  the  eniemy  recieivcd  a  checfci  which  may  be  faid 
juftice  to  have  turned  the  tide  of  war.  At  Prince  town,  the  feat 
e  mufes,  they  received  another,  which,  united,  obliged  them 
tire  with  precipitation,  ahd  take  refuge  in  dil^ceful  winter 
2rs.  But  whatever  honour  this.  State  might  derive  from  the  rci 
,  it  is  not  our  bufinefs  to  ehter  upon  aii  otherwife  tiriprbfitable 
ption  of  battles  or  lieges ;  we  leave  this  to  the  pen  of  the  hil» 
I,  whofe  object  is  to  furhifh  a  minute  detail  of  every  dcairringj 
nflance,  ^nd  only  obfetve  in  general,  that  the  many  military 
cements  perfoAned  by  the  Jerfey  foldiers,  give  this  State  one 
5  firft  ranks  afhong  htv  fillers  in  a  military  view,  and  entitle 
o  a  Ihare  of  praife  in  the  accomplilhment  of  the  late  gloriout 
ition,  that  bears  no  pn^rtion  to  her  fizev 


L.n,  3R  STATE 


(    394    ) 


STATE    OF  -J, 

PENNSYLVANIA.  V 


SITUATION  AND  BOUNDARIES. 


T 


HIS  Slate  is  fitnated  between  o**  20'  call,  and  50°  weft  lonei^ 
tudc ;  and  l)etwecn  39*  43',  and  42°  north  latitude.  Its  length  k 
two  hundred  and  eightj-^ight  miles,  and  its  breadth  one  hundred 
ifxd  fifty-fix.  It  is  bounded  eaii  by  Delaware  river,  which'  divides  it 
from  New-Jerfcy  j  north,  by  New- York,  and  a  territory  of  about 
two  hundred  and  two  thousand  acres,  on  lake  Erie,  purchased  of  Con* 
grefs  by.  this  State ;  north-weft,  by  a  part  of  lake  Erie^  where  therf 
is  a  good  port ;  weft,  by  the  weftern  territory,  and  a  part  of  Vir* 
ginia  ;  fbuth,  by  a  part  of  Virginia,  Maryland,  and  Delaware^  The 
State  lies  in  the  form  of  a  parallelogram. 

FACE  OF  THE  COUNTRY,  &c. 

This  part  of  the  Union  is  well  watered,  here  are  fix  con* 
fiderable  rivers,  which,  with  their  numerous  branches,  penin- 
fulate  the  whole  State,  viz.  The  Delaware,  Schuylkill,  Sufquc- 
hannah,  Youghiogeny,  Monongahela,  and  Allegany.  The  bay 
and  river  Delaware  are  navigable  from  the  fea  up  to  the  great 
or  lower  falls  at  Trenton,  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  miles ;  and 
are  accommodated  with  a  light  houfe,  on  cape  Henlopen,  and  with 
buoys  and  piers  for  the  direction  and  fafety  of  fliips.  The  diftancc 
of  Philadelphia  from  the  fea  is  about  fixty  miles  acrofs  the  land  in  a 
fouth-weft  courfe,  to  the  New-Jerfey  coaft,  and  one  hundred  and 
twenty  miles  by  the  fliip  channel  of  the  Delaware.  So  far  it  is  na\'i- 
gable  for  a  feventy-four  gun  Ihip.  Sloops  go  thirty-five  miles  farther, 
to  Trenton  fialls.  The  river  is  navigable  fo&bpats  that  carry  eight  or 
nine  tons,  an  hundred  miles  farther,  and  for  Indian  canoes,  except 
feveral  fmall  falls  or  portages,  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles.  At 
Eafton  it  receives  the  Lehigh  firom  the  weft,  which  is  navigable  ttirtjr 
miles.  The  tide  fets  up  as  high  as  Trenton  falls^  and  at  Philadelphit 
i  .  i?f«i 


...■     -.a: 


OP    PENNSYLVANIA*  395 

generally  about  five  or  fix  feet.    A  north-eaft  and  eaft  \vind 
^€8  it  higher, 

Between  cape  Henlopen  and  cape  May  is  the  entrance  into  the  De- 

^vvare  bay.    The  entrance  into  the  river  is  twenty  miles  farther  up, 

^^    Bombay  Hpok,  where  the  river  is  four  or  five  miles  wide  j  from 

^^tnbay  Hook  to  Reedy-Ifland  is  twenty  miles.    This  ifland  is  the 

^^ndezvous  of  outward-bound  fliips  in  autumn  and  fpring,  waiting  for 

^favourable  wind.  The  courle  from  this  to  the  fea  is  S.  S.  E.  fo  th^t  a 

^.  W.  wind,  which  is  the  prevtiiling  wind  in  thefe  feafons,  is  fair 

fer  veflels  to  put  out  to  lea.    This  river  is  generally  frozen  one  or 

two  months  in  th6  year  at  Philadelphia,  fo  as  to  prevent  navigations 

but  veifels  may  at  all  times  make  a  fecure  harbour  at  port  Penn,  al; 

Rcedy-Ifland,  where  piers  have  been  erected  by  the  State.    Vefiels  ' 

are  generally  from  twelve  to  twenty^four  hours  in  afcending  thig 

beautiful  river  to  Philadelphia ;    and  the  navigation  is  fafe,    and 

in   the  milder  feafons,  efpecially  in  the  fummer,  is  indefcribably 

pleafant. 

From  Chefter  to  Philadelphia,  twenty  miles  by  water,  and  fifteen 
by  land,  the  channel  of  the  river  is  narrowed  by  iilands  of  marfh^ 
which  are  generally  banked  and  turned  into  rich  and  immenfely  va^ 
luable  meadows. 

Biilinfport,  twelve  miles  below  Philadelphia,  was  fortified  in  the 
late  war  for  the  defence  of  the  channel.  Oppofite  this  fort,  ieveral 
large  frames  of  timber,  headed  with  iron  fpikes,  called  chevaux  de 
^izes,  were  funk  to  prevent  the  Britifli  Ihips  from  palling.  Since 
the  peace,  a  curious  machine  has  been  invented  in  Philadelphia  to 
i:^ife  them. 

The  Schuylkill  rifes  north-weft  of  the  Kittatinny  mountains, 
through  which  it  pafles,  into  a 'fine  chasnpaign  country,  and  runs, 
from  its  fource,  upwards  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  in  a  foutli- 
caft  diredtion,  and  pafling  through  the  limits  of  the  city  of  Philadel- 
phia! falls  iqto  the  Delaware  oppofite  Mud-lfland,  fix  or  feven  milea 
below  the  city.  It  is  navigable  from  above  Reading,  eighty-five  or 
nii^ety  miles  to  its  mouth.  There  arc  four  floating  bridges  thrown 
acrofs  it,  made  of  loga  fattened  together,  and  lying  upon  the  water, 
in  the  vicinity  of  Philadelpl^ia. 

The  nor(h-eafi  branch  of  the  Suiquehannah  river  rifts  in  lakes  Ot- 
fcgo  and  Otego,  in  the  State  of  New- York,  and  runs  in  fuch  a  wind-» 
ipg  courfi:  as  to  crofs  the  boundary  line  between  New-York  and 
f^a^iyiyn^  tlvep  times.    It  receives  Tyoga  river,  one  of  its  prin- 

3  £  ^  cipal 


59^  GENERAL    DESCRIPTIOH 

cipal  branches,  in  latitude  ^i^  57^,  three  miles  fouth  of  the  boua« 
dary  line.     The  Sufquehannah  branch  is  navigable  for  batteaux  toi 
its  fourcc,'   whence  to  Mohawk  river  is  but  twenty  miles.    The 
Tyoga  branch  is  navigable  fifty  miles  for  batteaux ;  and  its  fourcc  is 
but  a  few  miles  from  the  ChenefTee,  which  empties  into  lake  Ontario. 
Trom  Tyoga  point,    the  river    proceeds  fouth-eaft  to  Wyommg 
without  any  obAru6tion  by  falls,  and  then  fouth-eaft,  over  Wyo- 
ming falls,  till  at  Sunbury,  in  about  latitude  41°,  it  meets  the  weft 
branch  of  Sufquehannah,   which  is  navigable  ninety  miles  from  its 
mouth,  and  fome  of  the  branches  of  it  are  navigable  fifty  miles,  and 
approach  very  near  fome  of  the  boatable  branches  of  the  Allegany 
river.     This  noble  river  is  paiTable  to  Middletowp,  below  Harris* 
ferry,  with  boats,  carrying  leveral  hundred  bufliels,  and  with  raft^ 
of  boards,  &c.  from  the  State  of  New-York,    as  well  as  down  the 
Tyoga,  and  Juniata  branches,  feveral  hundred  miles,  in  their  difr 
ferent  windings,  but  it  is  attended  with  difficulty  and  danger  on  acr 
count  of  the  numerous  falls  below  Middletown.     About  fifteen  miles 

r  If 

above  Harrifburg,  it  receives  the  Juniata  from  the  north-weCl,  pro^ 
feeding  from  the  Allegany  mountains,  and  flowing  through  a  moun. 
tainous,  broken,  yet  cultivable  country.  This  river  is  navigable 
one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  from  its  mouth. 

The  Swetara,  which  falls  into  the  Sufquehannah  from  the  north? 
faft,  is  navigable  fifteen  miles.  About  half  a  mile  from  the  mouth 
of  this  river,  and  a  mile  froni  Middletown,  is  a  grift  mill,  which 
merits  particular  notice.  It  is  a  very  large  and  handfome  ftone  build- 
ing, has  four  pair  of  ftones,  and  is,  perhaps,  in  every  refpeft  one 
of  the  moft  complete  in  the  State.  But  the  moft  remarkable  circunN 
ftance  relative  to  it,  is '  the  race,  which  is  a  canal  from  twenty  to 
thirty  feet  wide,  and  ca;«i  led  with  fuch  a  degree  of  boldnefs  to  a 
length  of  four  hundred  and  feventy-fix  rods  or  perches,  through 
rocks  and  hills,  and  every  obftacle  in  its  courfe,  as  cannot  fail  to  ex* 
cite  a  very  high  idea  of  the  enterprize  and  perfcvering  induftr)'  of 
Mr.  George  Frey,  the  undertaker  and  owner. 

From  Swetara  to  the  Tulpehoken  branch  of  Schuylkill,  a  canal 
and  lock  navigation  is  undertaken,  and  the  works  commenced,  by 
an  incofp-^' rated  company  whofe  capital  is  four  hundred  ^houfand 
dollars.  This  leads  through  the  Schuylkill  to  Philadelphia,  Whea 
this  ftiall  be  effedted,  a  pafTage  will  be  open  to  Philadelphia  from  the 
Juniata,  the  I  yoga,  and  the  eaft  and  weft  branches  of  the  Wque^ 
hannah,   which  waters  at  leaft  fifteeu  {niUions  of  ^eres^     From 

thi| 


\  m 


OF   PENNSYLVANIA.  397 

lis  junAion,    the  general  coiirfe  of  the  Siifquehannah  i3  about 

Ith-e^ft  until  it  falls  into  the  head  of  the  Chefapeak  h:\y  at  Havrq 

Grace?    It  is  above  a  mile  wide  at  its  mouth,  and  is  navigable 

fca  veiTels  bi|t  about  fiv^  mil^s,  pn  accoun:  of  its  rapitis.     The 

iks  of  the  river  are  very  romantic,    particiharly  wherp  it  pafTes 

>ugh  the  naountains.   This  pafTkge  has  every  appearance  of  having 

511  forced  through  by  the  preffure  of  the  water,  or  of  having  beea 

irft  open  by  fomc  convuhion  in  nature. 

\!  The  feveral  brs^nches  of  the  Youghiogeny  river  rife  on  the  weft 

of  the  Allegany  niountains.     Aftpr  running  a  (hort  d.llance, 

unite  and  form  a  large  beautiful  river,  which,  in  palfing  Tome 

jf.the  ji>oft  weftern  ridges  of  the  mountain,  precipitates  itfelf  over  a 

rcl  ledge  of  rocks,  lying  nearly  at  right  angles  to  the  courfe  of  the 

w.    Thefe  falls,  called  the  Ohiopyle  falls,  are  about  twenty  feet 

perpendicular  height,  and  the  river  is  perhaps  eighty  yards  wide. 

for  z  confiderable  diftance  below  the  falls,  the  water  is  very  rapid, 

pnd  boils  and  foams  vehemently,  occafioning  a  continual  mift  to  rife 

it,  even  at  noon  day,  and  in  fair  weather.     The  river  at  thi^ 

run§  to  the  fouth-weft,  but  prefently  winds  round  to  the  north- 

jfl:,  and  continuing  this  coi^rfe  for  thirty  or  forty  qiilcs,  it  lofes  its 

by  uniting  with  the  Monongahela,   which  corqes  from  the 

ithward,  and  contains,  perhiips,  twice  as   much  water,     Thefe 

Iktited    ftreams,     Ihortly    after    their  jundion,    mingle  with  the 

tcrs  of  the  Allcjgany  and  Pittfburgh,  and  together  form  the  grand 

Ivcr  Ohio. 

The  Monongahela  has  been  already  particularly- defcribed,  and 
Esnae  obfervations  made  on  the  navigation  of  the  Allegany,  In  ad- 
tion  it  may  be  obferved,  that  at  the  jun<^ion  of  French  creek,  which 
Spines  from  the  north-weft,  with  the  Allegany,  are  the  remains  of  a 
Bridfh  fortification ;  and  about  a  mile  above  is  Fort  Frankiin, 
lilt  in  1787,  and  then  guarded  by  a  company  of  American  foldiers. 
*hc  Pcnnfylvania  north  line  crofles  French  creek  about  three  miles 
}OYp  Le  Boeuf,  where  there  was  formerly  a  fort.  From  Le  Boeuf 
pto  Prefqueiile,  fifteen  or  fixtecn  miles,  is  an  old  waggon  road,  cut 
[;i>y  the  French  in  the  war  of  1755.  The  lands  on  French  .reek 
Pi'WC  very  rich,  and  moftly  cleared,  which  is  an  evidence  that  its  for- 
'.'vpidr  Indian  inhabitants  were  numerous.  Fourteen  miles  from  the 
i'i  jinoiith  of  this  creek  U  a  gentle  rapid,  thence  to  its  mouth  it  is  flow, 
'^ep,  and  Imooth. 

There 


398  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

There  is  faid  to  be  a  pradicable  communication  between  At 
fouthern  branch  of  the  Tyoga  and  the  branch  of  the  Allegany,  die 
head  waters  of  which  are  but  a  fliort  diftance  from  each  other.  The 
Seneca  Indians  fay  they  can  walk  four  times  in  a  day,  from  the 
boatable  waters  of  Allegany  to  thofe  of  the  Tybga,  at  the  place  now 
mentioned.  And  between  the  Sufquehannah,  juft  before  it  croiles 
into  Pennfylvania  the  firft  time,  and  the  Delaware,  is  a  portage  of 
only  twelve  miles.  Rafts  of  timber,  plank,  boards,  and  flaves, 
with  other  article^  upon  them,  can  be  brought  down  the  Delaware 
from  the  counties  of  Montgomeiy  and  Otfego  in  New- York,  two 
hundred  miles  above  the  city  by  the  courfe  of  the  riven  Some  mo- 
ney was  expended  by  the  government  and  landholders  in  improving 
the  navigation  up  towards  the  fource,  before  the  revolution,  and 
there  has  been  a  furvey  fince  made,  for  the  purpofe  of  proceeding  in 
the  improvement  of  this  and  the  other  principal  rivers  of  Pennfylva- 
nia, and  for  makiiig  communications  by  canals  in  the  improved  part^ 
and  by  roads  in  the  unimproved  part  of  the  State.  Great  progre^ 
has  already  been  made  in  thefe  improvements,  and  the  exertions  for 
their  completion  are  jftill  continued.  The  Pennfylv^nians  are  much 
inclined  to  fuch  enterprizcs,  having  found  great  benefit  from  tbenu 
On  the  completion  of  the  prefent  plans,  the  State  will  be  as  convenit 
ently  interfedted  by  roads  as  any  other  of  its  iize  in  the  Union, 
which  will  greatly  facilitate  the  fettlement  of  its  new  lands.  A  flight 
view  of  the  map  of  Pennfylvania  will  fhew  how  finely  this  State  is 
watered  by  the  Delaware  and  its  branches,  the  Schuylkill,  the  Ju- 
niata, the  Sufquehannah  and  its  branches,  the  Ohio,  the  Alleganyi 
Youghiogeny,  and  Monongahela.  The  Potomak  and  lake  Erie  alio 
afford  profpe6ts  of  confiderable  benefit  from  their  navigatioa.  '  Nif? 
ture  has  done  much  for  Pennfylvania  in  regard  to  inland  water  car« 
riage,  which  is  flrikingly  exemplified  by  this  faft,  that  although  Phila- 
delphia and  lake  Erie  are  diftant  from  each  other  above  three  hundred 
miles,  there  is  no  doubt  but  that  the  rivers  of  the  State  may  b^  fo  m^ 
proved,  as  to  reduce  the  land  carriage  between  them  nine  tenths.  la 
^be  fame  way  the  navigation  to  Pittfburg,  after  due  improvement, 
ynay  be  ufed  inftead  of  land  carriage  for  the  whole  diflance,  except 
twenty-three  miles.  By  thefe  routs  it  is  clear,  that  a  large  proportion 
pf  the  foreign  articles  ufed  on  the  weftern  waters  muft  be  tranfporte^ 
and  their  furs,  fkins,  ginfcng,  hemp,  flax,  pot  afh,  and  other  va- 
luable commodities,  brought  to  Philadelphia.  The  hemp  and  oak 
,tjmber  for  the  Rullian  navy  is  traqfport^d  by  inland  navigation  one 

thpuM 


OF   PENNSYLVANIA.  399 

Aoufand  two  hundred  miles,  and  yet  hemp  is  (hipped  from  that 
Kingdom  on  lower  terms  than  from  any  other  part  of  the  known 
world.  Ruffia,  long  iince  tlie  fettlement  of  Pennfylvania  by  civilifed 
and  enlightened  people,  was  in  a  flate  of  abfolute  barbarifm,  and 
dcftitute  of  thcfe  improvements  :  much,  therefore,  is  to  be  expe6ted 
from. the  continued  exertions  of  the  prudent,  induflrious,  and  fen- 
fible  inhabitants  of  Pennfylvania,  in  the  courfe  of  the  prefent 
century. 

One  remark  mud  not  be  omitted  here,  and  that  is,  that  in  all  the 
back  country  waters  of  this  State,  even  in  thofe  high  up  in  tho 
snountains,  marine  petrifactions  are  found  in  great  abundance. 

The  only  fwarops  worth  noticing  are,  the  Great  Swamp,  between 
isTorthampton  and  Luzerne  counties,  and  Buffaloe  Swamp  in  the  State 
of  New- York,  fome  diftance  north  of  the  Pennfylvania  line.  Thefc 
fwamps,  on  examination  and  furvey,  are  found  to  be  bodies  of  farm 
land,  thickly  covered  with  beach  and  fugar  maple. 

A  confiderable  proportion  of  this  State  may  be  called  mountain- 
ous ;  particularly  the  counties  of  Bedford,  Huntingdon,  Cumber- 
land, part  of  Franklin,  Dauphin,  and  part  of  Bucks  and  Northamp- 
ton,, through  which  pafs,  under  various  names,  the  numerous  ridges 
and  fpurs,  which  collectively  form  what  we  chufe  to  call,  for  the 
lake  of  clearnefs.  The  Great  Range  of  Allegany  Mountains.  The  , 
principal  ridges  in  this  range,  in  Pennfylvania,  are  the  Kittatinny, 
or  Blue  mountains,  which  pafs  north  of  Nazareth  in  Northampton 
County,  and  purine  a  fouth-weft  courfe  acrofs  the  Lehigh,  through 
^Dauphin  county,  juft  above  Harrilburg,  thence  on  the  weft  fide  of 
the  Sufquehannah  through  Cumberland  and  Franklin  counties.  Back 
of  thefe,  and  nearly  parallel  with  them,  are  Peter's,  Tufcarra,  and 
Nefcopek  mountains,  on  the  eaft  of  the  Sufquehannah ;  and  on  the 
weft,  Shareman's  bills,  Sideling  hills.  Ragged,  Great  Warriors, 
Evit's  and  Will's  mountains ;  then  the  great  Allegany  ridge,  which 
being  the  largeft,  gives  its  name  to  the  whole  range ;  weft  of  this  are 
the  Chefnut  ridges.  Between  the  Juniata  and  the  weft  branch  of  the 
Sufquehannah  are  Jack's,  Tufly's,  Nittiny,  and  Bald  .Eagle  moun- 
tains. The  vales  between  thefe  mountains  are  generally  of  a  rich,  .. 
black  foil,  fuited  to  the  various  kinds  of  grain  and  gra&.  Some  of 
the  movintains  will  admit  of  cultivation  almoft  to  their  tops.  The 
other  parts  of  the  State  are  generally  levels  or  agreeably  variegated 
with  hills  and  vallies.  y 


4CO  GENERAL    DESCRIPTIoft 

In  this  connexion,  wc  beg  leave  to  introduce  the  remarks  ok  mi*    ■  ^ 
Charles  Thomplon,  the  late  fecrctaiy  of  Congrefs,  which  were  fug- 
gcfted  on  his  reading  Mr.  Jefterfon's  defcription  of  the  paffagcoftW   m^\^\ 
Potomak  through  the  Blue  ridge.     "  The  reflexions  I  wasicdioU) 
on  viewing  this  paflage  of  the  Potomak  through  the  Blue  ridge  were, 
that  this  country  muft  have  fuffered  ibme  violent  conviilfidn,  ani    ino; 
that  the  face  of  it  mud  have  been  changed  from  What  it  probably 
was  fome  centuries  ago ;  that  the  broken  and  ragged  hccs  of  the 
mountain  on  each  fide  the  rivtr ;   the  tremendous  rocks,  which 
are  left  with  one  end  fixed  in  the  precipice,  and  the  other  jutting  col 
aild  fecmingly  i-^ady  to  fall  for  want  of  fupport ;  the  bed  of  the 
river  for  feveral  miles  beloW  obflrui^ed,  and  filled  with  theloofi 
ilones  carried  from  this  mound  ;  in  fhort,  every  thing  on  which  yott 
caft  your  eye  evidently  dcmonftrates  a  difrupture  and  breach  in  the 
mountain,  and  that,  before  this  happened,  What  is  now  a  fruitful 
vale,  was  formerly  a  great  lake  or  collection  of  watery  which  pot 
iibly  might  have  here  formed  a  mighty  cafcade^  or  had  its  vent  to  the 
ocean  by  the  Sufquehannah,  where  the  Blue  ridge  feems  to  terminatci 
Bcfides  this,  there  are  other  parts  of  this  country  which  bear  Evident 
traces  of  a  like  convulfion*     From  the  befl  accounts  I  have  hetri  able 
to  obtain,  the  place  where  the  Delaware  now  flows  through  the  Kit- 
tatinny  mountain,  which  is  a  continuation  of  what  is  called  the  North 
ridge,  or  mountain,  was  not  its  original  courfe,  but  that  it  pafied 

^through  what  is  now  called  *  the  Wind-gap,*  a  place  feveral  miles  to 
the  weftward,  and  above  an  hundred  feet  higher  than  the  prefcnt 
bed  of  the  river.  This  wind-gap  is  about  a  mile  broad,  and  the 
flones  in  it  fuch  as  feem  to  have  been  wafhed  for  ages  by  water  run- 
ning over  them.     Should  this  have  been  the  cafe,  there  muft  havi 

.  been  a  large  Jake  behind  that  mountain,  and  by  fome  uncommon 
fwell  in  the  waters,  or  by  fome  convulfion  of  nature,  the  river  muft 
have  opened  its  way  through  a*  different  part  of  the  mountain,  and 
meeting  there  with  lefs  obftrudtion,  carried  away  with  the  oppofing 
mounds  of  earth,  and  deluged  the  country  below  .with  the  inunenft 
collection  of  waters,  to  which  this  new  pafTage  gave  vent.     There 
are  ftill  remaining,  and  daily  difcovercd,  innumerable  inftances  of 
fuch  a  deluge  on  both  fides  of  the  river,  after  it  pafled  the  hills  above 
the  fall  of  Trenton,  and  reached  the  champaign.     On  the  New- 
Jerfey  fide,  which  is  flatter  than  the  Pennfylvanta  fide,  all  the  coun- 
try below  Crofwick  hills  feems  to  have  been  overflowed  to  the  diA 

taacf 


'.  VF    PENNSYLVANIA.  46I 

^fce  o^  from  ten  to  fifteen  miles  back  from  the  river,  and  to  have 
.acquired  a  new  foil  by  the  earth  and  clay  brought  down  and  mixed 

.  ^'ith  the  native  fand.  The  fpot  on  which  Philadelphia  ftands  evi- 
^entiy  appears  to  be  made  ground.  The  different  ftraCa  through 
^^ich  they  pafs  in  digging  to  water,  the  acorns,  leaves,  and  fotae- 

'     ^^es  branches,  which  are  found  above  twenty  feet  below  the  fur- 

*^ce,  all  feem  to  demonftrate  this.     I  am  informed,  that  at  York- 

^Own,  in  Virginia,  in  the  bank  o^f  York  river,  there  are  different 

«rata  of  (hells  and  earth  one  above  another,  which  feem  to  point  out 

I  that  the  country  there  h^s  undergone  feveral  changes ;  that  the  fea 
for  a  fucceflion  of  ages,  occupied  the  place .  where  dry  land  now 
appears ;  and  that  the  ground  has  been  fuddenly  raifed  at  various 
periods.  What  a  change  would  it  make  in  the  country  below,  fhould, 
the  mountains  at  Niagara,  by  any  accident,  be  cleft  afunder,  and  a 
paflage  fuddenly  opened  to  drain  off  the  waters  of  Erie  and  the  Up- 
per lakes  !  While  ruminating  on  thefe  lubjeds,  I  have  often  been 

^    'hurried  away  by  fancy,  and  led  to  imagine,  that  what  is  now  the  bay 

P  of  Mexico,  was  once  a  champaign  country ;  and  that  from  the  point 
or  cape  of  Florida,  there  was  a  continued  range  of  mountains  through 
Cuba,  Hifpaniola,  Porto  Rico,  Martinique,  Guadaloupe,  Barbadoes^ 
and  Trinidad,  till  it  reached  the  coaft  of  America^  and  formed  the 
ihores  which  bounded  the  ocean,  and  guarded  the  country  behind  ; 
that,  by  fome  convulfion  or  fhock  of  nature,  the  fea  had  broken 
through  thefe  mounds,  and  deluged  that  vaft  plain,  till  it  reached 
the  foot  of  the  Andes;  that  being  there  heaped  up  by  the  trade  winds, 
always  blowing  from  one  quarter,  it  had  found  its  way  back,  as  it 
continues  to  do,  through  the  gulph  between  Florida  and  Cuba,  car- 
rying with  it  the  loom  and  fand  it  may  have  fcooped  from  the  coun- 
try it  had  occupied,  part  of  which  it-  may  have  depofited  on  the 
fliores  of  North-America,  and  which  part  formed  the  banks  of  New»» 
foundland, — But  thefe  are  only  the  vifions  of  fancy,"* 

In  the  neighbourht)od  of  Reading  is  a.  fpring^about  fourteeii  f^^t 
deep,  and  about  an  hundred  feet  fquare ;  a  full  mill  ftream  iffucd 
from  it;  the  waters  are  clear  and  full  of  fifh  of  different  kinds. 
From  appearances,  it  is  probable  that  this  fpring  is  the  outlet  of  a 
very  confiderable  river,  which  a  mile  and  an  half  or  two  miles  above 
this  place,  finks  into  the  earth,  and  is  apparently  conveyed  to  this. 
<mtlet,  in  a  fubterfaneous  channel. 

■  « 

♦  Jcflferfon's  Hiftory  of  Virginia^  Appendix,  No.  U. 

Vol.  n.  3  F  fa 


4dft  GENERAL   DESCRIPTION 

tn  the  northerrt  parts  of  Fennfylvania  there  is  a  creek  called 
Creek,  which  empties  into  the  Allegany  river ;  it  ifTues  from  afpriag'^ 
on  the  top  of  which  floats  an  oil,  iimilar  to  that  called  Barbados  tar; 
and  from  which  one  man  may  gather  feveral  gallons  in  a  day.  Tbe 
troops  fent  to  guard  the  weftern  pods  halted  at  this  fpring,  colleSec/ 
fome  of  the  oil,  and  bathed  their  joints  with  it.  This  gave  them 
great  relief  from  the  rheuijiatic  complaints  with  which  they  wfjjfe  af- 
fected ;  the  waters,  of  which  the  troops  drank  freely,  operated  as  ^ 
gentle  cathartic. 

There  are  three  remarkable  grottos,  or  caves,  inthis$tatc;  ok. 
near  Carliflc,  in  Cumberland  county ;  one  in  the  towniliip  of  Dtirhaol, 
tn  Bucks  county  ;  and  the  other  at  Swctara,  in  Laticafler  county ;  the 
latter  is  on  the  eaft  bank  of  Swctara  river,  about  two  miles  above  in 
confluence  with  the  Sufquehannah.    Its  aperture  is  under  a  pretty 
high  bank,  and  from  fifteen  to  twenty  feet  wide,  and  from  fevcn  to 
ten  in  height.     You  enter,  by  a  gradual  defcent,  fo  low,  as  that  thi 
furface  of  the  river  is  ratlier  higher  than  the  bottom  of  the  cave, 
and  in  your  progrefs  pafs  through  a  number  of  pafTages  and  apart- 
ments of  various  dimenlions,    fome  low  and  narrow,  others  very 
high  and  fpacious,  vaulted  by  magnificent  canopies,  fretted  with  a 
variety  of  depending  p>etrifa6tions,  fome  of  which  are  drawn  to  a 
great  length,  by  means  of  the  conftant  exudation  and  accretion:  of 
petrifying  matter,  till  folid  pillars  have  been  gradually  formed.  Thefc 
appear  as  fupports  to  the  roof|  which  is  of  folid  lime  flone,  perhapi 
twenty  feet  thick.     Thirty  years  ago  there  were  ten  fuch  pillars, 
each  fix  inches  in  diameter,  and  fix  feet  high,  all  fo  ranged,  that 
the  place  they  enclofed  refembled  a  fandluary  in  a  Roman  church ; 
no  royal  throne  ever  exhibited  more  grandeur  than  this  lufus  natura* 
The  refeniblances  of  feveral  monuments  are  found  indented  in  the 
walls  on  the  fides  of  the  cave,  which  appear  like  the  tombs  of  de- 
parted heroes.     Sufpended  from  the  roof  is  •  the  bell,*  which  if 
nothing  more  than  a  flone  proje£ted  in  an  tinufual  form,  fo  called 
from  the  found  it  occaiionrs  when  fir uck,  which  if  iimikrto  thatof 
a  bell. 

Some  of  the  ffala£tites  are  of  a  colour  like  fiigar-candy,  and  others 
refemble  loaf-fugar  ;  but  their  beauty  is  much  defaced  by  the  fmoke 
of  the  torches  which  are  frequently  employed  in  conducing  the  cu- 
rious traveller  thiough  this  gloomy  recefs.  The  water,  which  » 
exudated  through  the  roof,  runs  down  the  declivity,  and. is  both 
pleafant  and  wholefom&  to  drink.    There  are  feveral  holes  io  the 

botton 


OF    PENNSYLVANIA.  4O3 

Attorn  of  the  cave  defcending  perpendicularly,   perhaps  into  aa 

-  •Dyfs  below,  which  renders  it  dangerous  to  walk  without  a  light. 

;.     ^  the  end  of  the  cave  is  a  pretty  brook,  which,  after  a  fhort  courfe, 

***fcs  itfelf  among  the  rocks.     Beyond  this  brook  is  an  outlet  from 

•the  cave  by  a  very  narrow  aperture.    Through  this  the  vapours  con- 

^^Ually  pafs  outwards  with  a  ftrong  current  of  air  and  afcend,  re- 

^^nabling  al  night  the  fmoke  of  a  furnace^     .  art  of  thefe  vapours 

^d  fogs  appear,  on  afcending,  to  be  condenfed  at  the  head  of  this 

L    %reat  alembic,  and  the  more  volatile  parts  to  be  carried  off  through 

F    the  aperture  communicating  with  the  exterior  air  before-mentioned, 

by  the  force  of  the  air  in  its  paflage. 

On  a  high  hill,  near  the  Tyoga  river,  a  little  to  the  fouthward 
of  the    line   which    divides  New-York    from    Pennfylvania,     are 
the  remains  of  an  ancient   fortification.      The  form  of  it  is  cir- 
cular, and  it  is  encompalTed  with  an  entrenchment ;  the  entrench- 
^  ment  only  remains.     The  Indians  are  entirely  ignorant  of  the  origin 
I  of  thefe  ^Vorks.     The  hill  is  an  excellent  fituation  for  a  fort,  and 
•    commands  a  delightful  view  of  the  country  around  it,  which  is  low 
and  fertile.   There  is  a  fortification  of  a  (in^ilar  kind  at  Unadilla,  ia 
the  flat  lands,  and  they  are  numerous  in  the  weftern  counties. 

SOIL,  PRODUCTIONS,  TRADE,  MANUFACTURES,  &c, 

■ 

The  foil  of  Pennfylvania  is  of  various  kinds;  in  fome  parts  it  is  barren: 
a  great  proportion  of  the  State  is,  however,  good  land,  and  no  incon- 
fiderable  part  is  very  good  :  perhaps  the  proportion  of  the  firft  rate 
land  is  not  greater  in  any  of  the  United  States.  The  riched  part 
of  the  State  that  is  fettled  is  Lancafler  county,  and  the  valley  through 
Cumberland,  York,  and  Franklin,  The  richeft  that  is  unfettled,  is 
between  Allegany  river  and  lake  Erie,  in  the  north-weft  corner  of  the 
State,  and  in  the  country  on  the  heads  of  the  eallern  branches  of  the 
Allegany.  Of  this  fine  traft,  near  one  hundred  thouiand  acres,  lying 
on,  and  near  French  Creek,  are  for  fale  by  the  State,  The  conve- 
nient communications  through  this  creek  into  the  Allegany,  and 
fronn  the  Allegany  through  various  creeks  and  rivers  to  the  Sufque* 
hannah  and  Potomak,  have  already  been  mentioned. 

The  fouth  fide  of  Pennfylvania  is  the  beft  fettled  land  throughout, 
owing  entirely  to  the  circumftance  of  the  weftern  road  having  been 
run  by  the  armies,  prior  to  1762,  through  the  towns  of  Lancafter, 
Carlifle,  and  Bedford,  and  thence  to  Pittlburgh.  For  the  purpofe  of 
turaiiig  the  tide  of  fettlers  from  this  old  channel  into  the  unfettled 

3  F  «  parts 


404  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

parts  of  the  State,  the  govcrnirjcnt  and  landed  intcreft  of  Pcnnfy 
vania  have  been,    and  are  flill  bufy  in  cutting  convenient  road^... 
During  the  fummec  of  1788  they  run  a  road  north,  from  aformex" 
road  beyond  Bethlehem,  to  the  north  portage  between  the  Delaware  an<i 
Sufquehannah  ;  and  thence  north  eighty  degrees  weft  to  the  mouth 
of  the  Tyoga,  the  firft  is  feventy  miles,  and  the  laft  above  fixty.  It  is 
now  in  contemplation  to*  cut  a  road  from  Sunbury,  at  the  forks  of 
the  eaft  and  well  branches  of  the  Sufquehannah  ;  weft  one  hundred 
and  fifty  miles  to  the  mouth  of  Toby's  creek,  which  empties  into  the 
Allegany  river  from  the  eaft.     This  road  will  be  through  a  trad  of 
rich  land,  now  for  fale  by  the  State.     A  road  is  alfo  cut  from  the 
mouth  of  the  Tyoga,  fouthward,  to  the  mouth  of  the  Loyal,  a  branch 
of  the  weft  branch  of  the  Sufquehannah.     Another  road  is  cut  from 
Huntingdon  town,  on  Franks'  town  branch  of  the  Juniata,  wellward 
thirty  miles  to  Conemagh,  a  navigable  branch  of  the  Allegany. 

Thus  the  well-judged  policy  of  this  State  is  paving  the  way  for 
the  fettlement  of  all  their  wafte  lands ;  and  to  evidence  their  bene- 
volence, and  their  wifties  to  have  the  advantages  of  education  in- 
creafed  and  more  extenfively  enjoyed,  they  have  allotted  fixty  thoufand 
acres  of  thefe  wafte  lands  for  the  ufe  of  public  fchools  *  and  above 
fixty  thoufand  more  have  been  granted  for  that  purpofe,  and  to  the 
focieties  eftabliftied  for  the  promotion  of  knowledge,  the  arts,  re- 
ligion, &c.     A  confiderable  part  of  the  lands'  of  this  State  remain  at 
prefent  for  fale  by  the  public.    The  Pennfy Ivan ians  having  no  dif" 
putes  with  the  Indians  about  boundaries,  and  all  the  lands  within 
the  State  being  purchafed  at  a  fair  and  open  treaty,  and  there  being 
fome  fettlements  weflward  of  the  Pennfyl vania  line,  there  is  little 
apprehcnfion  of  the  Indians  any  where,  and  in  moft  parts  of  th^ 
State  no  danger  at  all. 

Among  the  natural  advantages  of  Pennfylvania,  her  almoft  ift^ 
numerable  mill  feats  ought  not  to  be  omitted ;  they  are  convenientlj^ 
diftributed  by  Providence  throughout  the  State,  and  aflford  th 
means  of  eftabliftiing,  every  fpecies  of  mill  work  and  labour-fevin 
machines,  to  meet  the  produce  and  raw  materials  almoft  at  the  far 
roers  doors.  In  th^  prefent  fituation  of  this  country,  wanting  hand 
for  farming,  and  in  the  prefent  ftate  of  maniifa6tures,  when  inge 
nious  mechanifm  is  every  day  and  every  where  invented  to  leflen  th 
neceffity  for  manual  labour,  this  natural  advantage  muft  appeared- 
ineftimable  importance.  Hemp  and  flax  are  among  the  moft  profitable 

produdions  of  the  rich  midland  nnd  new  counties,  the  cream  of  wfaic* 

i5 


OF    PENNSYLVANIA.  4O5 

be  (kimmed.    It  is  therefore  a  moft  pleafing  fad,  that  they 

this  State  the  full-fized  and  complete  movements  or  works  of 

mill  and  machinery,  to  (liver,  rove  and  fpin  flax  and  hemp 

eads  or  yarns,  fit  for  linen  of  thirty  cuts  to  the  pound,  or 

rfer  kind,  fheetings,  towelling,  fail  cloth,  ofnaburghs,  twine, 

ilrans  or  yarns  for  cordage.  The  fame  machinery  is  calcu- 
r  the  roving  or  preparing,  and  fpinning  of  combed  wool 
>rfted  yarn.  They  have  alfo  the  movements  and  complete 
-ry  of  Sir  Richard  Arkwright's  water  mill  for  fpinhing  yajns  of 
And  though  the  climate  of  this  State  is  not  fit  for  cultivating 
'V  material,  yet  cotton  can  be  raifed  with  profit  in  every  State 
^11  ion  fouthward  of  Pennfylvania,  and  imported  from  the  Eaft 
-ft  Indies. 

certain,  that  this  extraordinary  capacity  of  the  country  for 
^ical  works  has  either  called  forth,  in  an  unufual  degree,  the 
nical  powers  of  the  human  mind,  or  that  Providence  has  be- 
'  upon  the  people  of  this  and  the  fifter  States  an  uncommon 
ti  of  this  talent,  which  its  nature  and  fituation  require.  Rit- 
ousE  and  Franklin  fland  unrivalled  in  mechanical  philofo« 
and  thofe  who  know  the  country  are  well  informed,  that  to  thefe 
|;reat  names  we  could  add  a  confiderable  lift  of  philofophical  and 
cal  mechanics,  in  a  variety  of  branches. 

many  of  the  neceflary  and  convenient  arts  and  trades  depend 
the  plenty  and^cheapnefs  of  fuel,  that  it  appears  proper  to  take 
'  of  this  article.  Till  the  revolution,  the  dependence  of  the 
e  was  almoft  entirely  upon  wood  fuel,  of  which,  in  the  moft 
ous  places,  there  is  ftill  a  great  abundance,  and  in  all  interior 
ions  immenfe  quantities ;  but  the  increafe  of  manufadures  has 
ioned  the  inhabitants  to  turn  their  attention  to  coal :  of  this  uieful 

Providence  has  given  them  very  great. quantities  in  the  middle 
weftern  country.  ,In  the  vicinity  of  Wyoming,  on  the  Sufque«- 
ah,  is  one  bed  of  the  open  burning  kind,  and  of  the  moll  in- 

heat.  On  the  head  waters  of  Schuylkill  and  Lehigh  are  fome 
derable  bodies.  At  the  head  of  the  weftern  branch  of  ^ufquc- 
ah  is  a  moft  extenfive  body,  which  ftretches  over  the  country 
k-wcftwardly,  fg  as  to  be  found  in  the  grcatcft  plenty  .at 
^urgh,  where  the  Allegany  and  Youghiogeny  unite,  and  s 
i  the  head  of  the  Ohio.  All  the  coal  has  hitherto  been 
lentally  found  on  the  furface  of  the  earth,  or  dilcovered 
le  dicing  of  common  cellars,   fo   that  when  the  wuod  fuel 

fliall 


4o6  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

IhaTl  become  fcarce,    and  the  European  methods  of  boring  fiall 
be  ikilfiilly  purfiied,  there  can  be  no  doubt  of  its  being  found  in 
many  other  places.     At  prefent,  the  ballafting  of  fliips  from  coal 
cwuntrrcs  abroad,  and  the  coal  mines  in  Virginia,  which  lie  convc- . 
ufent  to  (hip  navigation,  occafion  a  good  deal  of  coal  to  be  brought 
to  the  Philadelphia  market.   From  this  great  abundance  and  variety 
cf  fuel  itrefults,  that  Pennly Ivan ia,  and  the  United  States  in  general, 
arc  well  fuited  to  all  manufa<5lories  that  are  effe«5led  by  fire,  fuchai 
furnaces,  foundarics,  forges,  glafs-houfes,  breweries,  diftilleries,  fticl 
works,   fmith  fliop?,    and  all  other  manufaciflories   in  metal,  foap 
loilings,  pot  aih  works,  fugar  and  other  refineries,  &c.  &c. 

Ship  building  is  a  bufinefs  in  whkh  the  port  of  Philadelphia  «• 
ceeds  moft  parts  of  the  world.     Mails,  fpars,  timber^  and  planks  not 
only  from  their  own  State  and  the  other  States  on  the  Delaware,  art 
conilantly  for  faJe  in  their  market  ;  but  the  mulberry  of  the  Chela- 
peak,  and  the  evergreen  or  live  oak  and  red  cedar  of  the  Carolinai 
and  Georgia,  are  fo  abundantly  imported,  that  nine-tenths  of  their 
▼cflcls  are  built  of  them.     No  vcfTels  arc  better  than  thefe.    Alive 
cak  and  cedar  fhip  of  two  hundred  tons,  carpenter's  meafurement, 
can  be  fitted  to  take  in  a  cargo  for  fourteen  pounds  currency  per  ton; 
and  there  is  not  a  port  in  Europe  in  which  an  oak  fliip  can  be 
equally  well  built  and  fitted  for  twenty  pounds  per  ton  currency,  or 
twelve  pounds  fieri ing.    This  fa£l  may  appear  doubtful  or  extraordi- 
Bary,  but  it  is  certainly  true  ;  and  it  is  greatly  in  favour  of  the  fhip 
carpenters  and  other  tradefmen  employed  in  fitting  and  building (hips-^ 
at  well  as  merchants  and  farmers,  whofe  interefls  are  fo  much  con -^ 
Bcfted  with  navigation. 

The  di fiance  of  Philadelphia  from  the  fea  has  been  made  an  ob- — ' 
jcflion  by  fome,  and  the  clofing  of  the  river  by  the  ice,  which  haj 
pens  almofl  every  winter.  Amflerdam,  the  greateft  port  in  Europe 
is  hiacceffible  in  winter.  But  it  is  a  fad,  that,  notvvithflanding  thefe 
objeftrons,  their  vefiels  make  as  many  Weft-India  voyages  as  thofi 
of  the  two  other  principal  fca  ports  of  the  Middle  States ;  and  thoug 
the  river  is  frozen  from  three  to  nine  weeks  almoft  every  winter,  ye 
there  are  occafional  openings,  which  give  opportunities  for  fleets  o 
merchantmen  to  go  out  and  come  in.  The  fine  corn  and  provilioi 
Country  which  lies  near  Philadelphia,  enables  the  merchants  to  loa 
their  vefTels  in  the  winter,  and  the  market  is  regularly  fupplied  witt* 
flour,  pork,  beef,  lumber,  ftaves,  iron,  and  many  other  of  their  prica.— 

cipal 


r,-n 


OF    PENNSYLVANIA.  j^OJ 

rticJes  of  exportation.  Little  time  is  therefore  loff,  and  their 
ricreafes.  The  crop  of  1789,  and  the  other  exports  frpm  the 
:  of  that  year  to  that  of  1790,  it  was  fuppofed,  would  load  one 
:d  and  twenty  thouland  tons  of  fliipping,  A  very  extcnfiv« 
ountry,  and  many  large  bodies  of  new  lands,  are  fettling  faft^ 
muft  fend  their  produce  to  the  Philadelphia  niarket, 
e  produce,  mann failures,  and  exports  of  Pennfylvania  arc 
nany  and  various ;  viz.  wheat,  flour,  middlings,  (hip  fluff,  bran, 
,  fliip  bread,  white  water  bifcuit,  rye,  rye  flour,  Heel,  Indian 
>r  mage,  Indian  meal,  buck-wheat,  buck-wheat  meal,  bar 
>ig  iron,  nail  rods,  nails,  iron  hoops,  rolled  iron,  tire,  giin- 
T,  cannon  ball,  iron  cannon,  mufquets,  fliips,  boats,  oars, 
jikes,  mafts,  fpars,  fliip  timber,  fliip  blocks,  cordage,  fquam 
r,  fcantling,  plank,  boards,  ftaves,  heading,  fhingles,  woodea 
,  tanners  bark,  corn  fans,  coopers  wares,  bricks,  coarie 
n  or  potters  ware,  a  very  little  ordinary  ftone  ware,  glue^ 
nent,  flioes,  boots,  fole  leather,  upper  leather,  drefled 
md  flieep  ikins,  and  gloves  and  garments  of  the  fame,  flne 
many  common,  and  a  few  coarfe;  thready  cotton,  worfied 
^arn  hofiery,  fine  writing,  wrapping,  blotting,  flieathing,. 
anging  paper,  flationary,  playing  cards,  copper,  filver  and 
clocks  and  watches,  mufical  inflruments,  fnuff,  manufadlurcd 
o,  chocolate,  muflard  feed  and  muflard,  flarch,  hair  powder, 
;ed,  flax  feed  oil,  flax,  hemp,  wool,  and  cotton  cards,  pickled 
pork,  fhad,  herrings,  tongues  and  flurgeon,  hams  and  other 
,  tallow,  hogs  lard,  butter,  cheefe,  candles,  foap,  be^s-wax, 
ugar,  pot  and  pearl  afli,  rum  and  other  flrong  liquors,  beer, 
,  hops,  winter  and  fummer  barley,  oats,  fpelts,  onions,  pota* 
turnips,  cabbages,  carrots,  parfnips,  red  and  white  clover,  ti- 
\  and  mofl  European  vegetables  and  grafTes,  apples,  peaches, 
,  pears,  apricots,  grapes,  both  native  and  imported,  and  other 
ean  fruits,  working  and  pleafurable  carriages,  horfcs,  black 
(heep,  hogs,  wood  for  cabinet-makers,  lime-flone,  coalj  free- 
and  marble. 

xe  of  thefe  produdions  are  fine,  fome  indifferent;  fome  of  the 
a6tures  are  confiderable,  for  a  young  country,  circumdanced  a4 
is  been,  fome  inconfiderable  ;  but  they  are  enumerated  to  (how 
Tieral  nature  of  the  State,  and  the  various  purfults  of  the  inha- 
».  In  addition  to  them  we  may  mention,  that  a  lead  mine  and 
"  three  ialt  fprings  have  been  difcovered  in  the  new  country, 
^ivjll  no  doubt  be  worked,  as  fooii  as  the  denaand  for  thefe  ar-* 

tlQl«^ 


h 
\ 

Dili 
pre' 

N 


408  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

tides  to  the  wcftward  incrcafcs.  We  ought  alfo  to  notice  the  gralt  ■fem 
forefts  for  making  pot  and  pearl  afli.  Marble  is  found  in  many  parti  lt:s 
of  the  State.  ^  ■eIts 

The  nianufa<^ures  of  Pennfylvania  have  increafed  excecdinjjy  fcrv 
within  a  few  years,  as  well  by  mailer  workmen  and  journeymen  from 
Europe,  as  by  the  increafed  Ikill  and  induftry  of  their  own  citizens,  fccli 
Houfehold  or  family  manufactures  have  greatly  advanced,  andva-  Wx: 
luable  acquifitions  have  been  made  of  implements  and  machinery  to  l^oe; 
favc  labour,  either  imported,  or  invented  in  the  United  States.  The  if, 
hand  machines  for  carding  and  fpinning  cotton  have  been  introduced 
by  Europeans,  and  improved  upon ;  and  they  have  lately  obtained 
tlie  water  mill  for  fpinning  cotton,  and  a  water  mill  for  flax,  which 
is  applicable  alfo  to  fpinning  hemp  and  wool.  Thefc  machines  pro* 
mife  an  early  eflablifliment  of  the  cotton,  linen,  and  hempen 
branches,  and  muft  be  of  very  great  fervice  in  the  woollen  branch. 
Additional  employment  for  weavers,  dyers,  bleachers,  and  other 
manufaClurers,  muft  be  the  confequence.  Paper  mills,  gunpowder 
mills,  "fteel  works,  rolling  and  Hitting  mills,  printing  figured  goods 
of  paper,  linen,  and  cotton,  coach  making,  jDook  printing,  and  fe* 
rcral  other  branches,  are  wonderfully  advanced,  and  every  month 
feems  to  extend  the  old  manufactures,  or  to  introduce,  new  ones. 
There  are  upwards  of  fifty  paper  mills  in  Pennfylvania  which  work 
inaterials  of  no  intrinfic  value.  The  manufactures  from  the  mills  are 
computed  at  two  hundred  and  fifty  thoufand  dollars.  The  hands  em*  Ij, 
ployed  in  them  do  not  exceed  three  hundred.  It  is  calculated  that  l^j 
their  paper  mills  alone  indemnify  them  for  five-eighths  of  their  quota  m, 

.  of  the  expenfes  of  the  general  government,  and  the  intereft  of  the 
public  debt. 

The  advancement  of  the  agriculture  of  Pennfylvania  is  the  beft 
proof  that  can  be  given  of  the  comfort  and  happinefs  it  affords  to  it^ 
farming,  manufa6turing,  and  trading  citizens.  In  the  year  1786,  the^^ 
exports  of  flour  were  one  hundred  and  fifty  thoufand  bai*rels,  excU*' 
five  r>f  many  other  articles;  in  1787,  they  were  two  bun^r^^ 
two  thoufand  barrels  ;  in  1788,  they  were  two  hundred  and  twentj^ 
thoufand  barrels;  and  in  1789,  they  were  three  hundred  ai^^ 
fixty-nine  thoufand  fix  hundred  and  eighteen  barrels,  whia*^ 
cicceeds  any  export  ever  made  in  the  times  of  the  provinc 
ov  in  the  times  of  the  conunonwealth.  Since  that  period  the 
have  increafed  in  a  like  proportion.  The  produce  of  flax  is  ir*-'* 
crenlcd  in  a  much  greateY  degree,  and  that  of  wbolis  confidci^U^'- 
inore  than  it  was  betbrfe  the  revolution.     A  new  article  is  likely  t^^ 

te  added  to  the  lift  of  iW\t  ^rcAu&!\ovA^  >«V\0^\^  ^xs^^x^  ojadco** 

3 


il 


t)P    PEKNSYLVANIAV*^  4O9 

Aaple-tree.     It  has  been  proved  by  many  fair  and  careful  expcri- 

ts,  that  it  IS  in  the  pov^ner  of  a  fubftantial  farnrier  that  has  a  fa- 

about  him,  eafily  to  make  twelve  hundred  weight  of  this  fugar 

y  feafon,  without  hiring  any  additional  hands,  or  any  iitenfils  but 

2  that  are  neceffary  for  his  family  and  farm  ufe.  Th^  time  in 
• 

:h  it  can  be  made  is  from  the  middle  of  Fcbruaiy  to  the  end  of 
ch,  when  farmers  in  this  country  have  very  little  to  do,  as  it  h 
zarly  to  prlough  or  dig.  The  price  of  fugar  being  lower  here  than 
Europe,  this  article  may  be  reckoned  at  one  hundred  Mexicaa 
irs  per  annum  to  every  careful  and  Ikilful  farmer,  that  Owns  land 
ing  the  fugar  maple,  Of  thefe  there  are  fome  millions  of  acres  in 
ifylvania  and  the  adjacent  State?,  and  at  leaft  one  or  two  millions 
iging  to  this  State  for  fale.  It  feems  alfo  highly  probable  that 
«raluable  tree  may  be  tranfplanted,  and  thus  be  obtained  by  al- 
any  farmer  in  the  State,  and  that  men  of  property,  who  will 
hafe  kettles  and  hire  hands  for  the  above  fhort  period,  may  make 
:  quantities. 

3  difficulty  lies  in  the  way  of  any  perfon  who  defires  to  become  a 
and  equal  citizen  of  this  State.  On  the  day  of  his  landing  he  may 
a  farm,  a  houfe,  merchandize,  or  raw  materials  ;  he  may  open 
rk-fliop,  a  counting-houfe,  an  office,  or  any  other  place  of  lawr- 
5ufmefs,  and  purfue/his  calling  without  any  hindrance,  or  the 
lent  of  any  fum  of  money  to  the  public.  The  right  of  elcft- 
and  being  eledled,  which  does  not  affed  his  bufitiefs  or  his 
1^,  is  not  granted  till  the  expiration  of  two  years^  which  pru- 
e  requires. 

privilege,  almoft  peculiar  to  this  State,  has  been  granted  to  fo- 
ers  by  the  legiflature ;  that  of  buying  and  holding  lands  and 
•s  within  this  Commonwealth,  without  relinquifliing  their  alle- 
2  to  the  country  iii  which  they  were  born,  or  changing  their 
nee.  They  can  fell  or  bequeath  the  lands^,  receive  the  rents^ 
m  fhort,  have  every  territorial  and  pecuniary  right  tliat  a  natu* 
ni  Pennfylvanian  has  ;  but  no  civil  rights.  As  they  profefs  to 
^legiance  to  a  foreign  prince  ar  governtnent,  and  refidc  In  a.fo- 
country^  where  they  of  coiirfe  have  civil  rights,  they  cannot 
nor  ought  they  to  delire,  them  here,  fince  no  man  can  ferve 
lafters.  If  they  chufe,  at  any  time  after  purchafe,  to  fettle  ia 
^Untry  and  make  themfelves  citizens ;  or  if  they  chufe  to  give 
-Hate  to  a  child,  or  other  perfon,  who  will  do  fo,  either  of  therai 
become  citizens  to  all  intents  and  purpofes. 
^.  U.  3  Q  Such 


410 


OBNBRAL   DESCRIPTIOI^ 


• 

Such  11  the  prefent  iituation  of  things  in  Pennfylvaniai  which  ii 
more  or  Icb  the  fame  in  fcveral  other  of  the  American  States,  ?iz, 
Diilrifk  of  Maine,  Nev(r-llampihire,  Vermont,  New^-York,  Virginia 
the  Carolinas,  and  Georgia ;  but  though  not  fo  in-  the  refl,  the  pria« 
eipal  difference  U,  that  they  are  fo  fully  peopled,  that  t^icfc  arefcf 
new  lands  of  any  value  unfold,  and  fanning  lands,  that  areimprovd, 
are  of  oourfe  dearer.    In  diofe  States,  however,  agriculture,  com- 
merce, manufa^res^  the  fiiheries,  and  navigation,  afford  comfbr* 
table  fubfiftence  and  ample  rewards  of  profit  to  the  indufhious  and 
well^difpofed^  amidft  the  blcffings  of  civil  and  religious  liberty.        |j 


CIVIL    DIVISIONS- 

Pennfylvania  in  divided  into  twenty-two  counties,  wUch,  witk 
their  county  town,  iituation,  &c.  are  mentioned  in  the  fol- 
lowing table,  as  alfo  the  various  kinds  of  mines  and  minerals  ia 
the  State : 


Phtlade 


Couuties. 


Chief  Towns. 


htladelphfa 
Cheiler 
Delaware 
Budc^ 

Montgomery 
Lancaffer 
Dauphin 
Berks 

Northampton 
Luzerne 
York 


Situation. 


Cumberland 

Northumberland'Sunbury 

Franklin 

Bedford 

Huntidgton 

Mifflin 

Weftmorland 

Fayette 

Waihington 

Allegany 


Philadelphia  onDeiawa.R. 
Weft-Cheftcr'ditto 
Cheiler  ditto 

Newtown      ditto 
Norriftown    on  Schuylk  R. 
Lancafter       oh  Sufqueh.R. 
Harilburgh    ditto 
Reading         on  Schuylk  R. 
Eailon  OD  Delawa.  R. 

Wilkiburgh    onSQfqueh.R. 

ditto 

ditto 

otiw.braii.Su. 
Chamberfion  onSuf^ucfei*R« 
Bedford         on  Juniata  R. 
Huntington    ditto 
LewiiN^-fh    ditto 
Greenlbti^gh  on  Allegan.  R. 
Union  on  Mononga. 

Waihington  S.W^cor.  State, 
Pittiburgh      onAileganyR,! 


Settle  I      Mines,  &c. 


All 
All 
All 
All 
All 


Iron  ore 


York 
Carlifle 


Iron  ore  &  lead 
Iron  ore 
All  Iron  ore  &  cop 

i  Iron  ore 

I  l.ore,co.mii«^ 

I  Iron  ore 

I  I.ore,co.n)i.&& 

I    Iron  ore 

I    I.  ore  &  lead  mi. 

'xv  I*  ore,  iahfp. 
Iron  ore 
Iron  mines, &c 
Coal  &  lead  mi* 
Iron  ore 

I    Coal  mines 
Coal  &  iron  BD)^ 
ditto,         dittc^ 
ditto^         dittc^ 


\ 


*  A  very  large  proportion  of  the  vacant  lands  in  the  StUc  are  m  this  coonty  (Northii^ 
berUnd)  to  «he  amount  of  eight  imilions  of  acrss. 


OF   PEKKSYLTAKIA*  .  [  4X1 

CHIEF     TOWNS, 

'  FRILADtLPHIA. 

The  city  of  Philadelphia^  capital  of  the  State  of  Penniyivania,  and 
prefent  feat  of  government  of  the  United  States  of  America,  lies 
atitude  29^  56'  north,  and  longitude  75°  8'  45"  weft  from  Green* 
h,  upon  the  weftem  bank  of  the  river  DelawarCi  which  is  here 
:  a  mile  in  breadth,  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  from  the 
antic  ocean,  by  the  courfe  of  the  bay  and  river,  about  fifty-five 
es  from  the  fea,  in  a  fouth-eaftward  direftion* 
X  was  laid  out  by  Wilijjun  Penn,  the  firft  proprietary  and  founder 
:he  provinc^i  in  the  year  1683,  and  fettled  by  a  colony  from  Eng- 
d,  which  arrived  in  that  and  the  preceding  years,  and  was  in- 
afed  by  a  conflant  and  regular  influx  of  foreigners,  to  fo  great  a 
;ree,  that  in  lefs  than  a  century,  and  within  the  life-time  of  the 
I  perfon  bom  within  it  of  European  parents,  it  was  computed  to 
itain  fixthoufand  houfes  and  forty  thouf^d  inhabitants  in  the  city 
I  fuburbs. 

The  ground  plot  of  the  city  is  an  oblong  fquare,  about  one  mile 
th  and  fouth,  and  two  miles  eall  and  wefl,  lying  in  the  narreweft 
t  of  the  iftlunus  )>etween  the  Delaware  and  8chuylkill  rivers, 
ut  five  miles  ip  a  right  line  abpVe  their  confluence.  The  plain  is  lb 
cJy  level,  except  upon  the  bank  of  the  Delaware,  that  art  and  la- 
r  were  neceflary  to  dig  common  fewers  and  watercourfes  in  many 
:es  to  dmin  the  ftreets.  In  the  beginning  of  this  fettlement  it  was 
eded,  that  t^e  frQpts  on  both  rivers  would  be  firil  improved  for 
convenience  of  trade  andnavigation,  and  that  the  buildings  would 
-nd  gradually  in  the  rear  of  each,  until  they  would  meet  and  form 
town  extending  from  eaft  to  wei( ;  but  experience  foon  convinced 
fettlers  that  tl^e  Delaware  front  was  alone  fufficient  for  quays  and 
ling  places,  and  that  the  Schuylkill  lay  at  too  great  a  diflance  to 
^  part  of  the  town  on  its  banks ;  whence  it  followed  that  the 
1  increafed  northward  and  fouthward  of  the  original  plot,  on  tl^e 
tware  front^  and  now  occupies  a  fpace  near  three  mil^s  ip 
th,  north  and  foi|th,  while  the  buildings  in  the  nilddle,  where 
are  moil  extended,  4o  not  reach  a  mile  from  the  Delaware, 
'he  city  has  been  twice  incprpprated^  and  the  limits  thereof  rei- 
ned to  the  oblong  originally  laid  out  by  William  Penn,  without 
^dmg  the  northern  or  fouthern  fuburbs.  This  plot  is  interfered 

3  G  »  "  by 


0 

id 


41^^  GEJiER-AL    DESCRIPTION 

by  a  number  of  flrccts  at  right  angles  with  each  other,  nine  of  vK  "S^ 
run  eail  aiid  weft  from  Delaware  10  Schuyikill,  and  twenty-tlk:^^ 
north  and  fouth,  eroding  the  firftat  right  angles,  forming  one  h-*''^ 
hundred  and  eii^hty-four  fquares  of  lots  for  buildings.    The  ftrect? 
running  eaft  and  weft  are  named,  except  High  ftreet^  near  the  mid^fi 
of  the  city,  from  the  trees  found  in  the  country  upon  the  arrival  4 
the  colony  ;  Vine,    Saflafras,    Mulberry,   High,   Chefnut,  Wabuf)  I 
Spruce,  Pine,  and  Cedar  ftreets,  and  thofe  running  north  andfonth 
Jrom  their  numeral  order.  Front,  Second,  Third,  Fourth,  &c.to 
Inroad  ftreet,    whi.h  is  midway  between  the  tv^'o  rivers.    In  deeds, 
and  oth.  r  defc  riptive  writings,  which  require  exaftnefs,  thefe  ftreets 
have  the  Delaware  or  Schuylkill  prefixed  to  their  numeral  names,  to 
diftinguiQi  to  which  front  they  belong;  as  Delaware  Second  ftreet,, 
&c.  but  as  there  are  very  few  buildmgs  wcftward  of  Broad  ftreet,  this 
addition  is  never  made  in  common  converfatipn,  but  when  they  are 
named  they  are  undcrftood  of  the  Delaware  front,  unlefs  Schuylkill 
be  added. 

Of  thefe.  High  ftreet  is  one  hundred  feet,  Broad  ftreet  one  hundred, 
ao<l  thirteen,  Mulberry  iixty,  and  all  the  others  fifty  feet  wide. 
Within  the  improved  parts  of  the  city  they  are  paved  in  the  middle 
vith  pebble  ftones  for  carts  and  carriages,  which  ufuaUy  contain, 
three-fifths  of  the  whole  breadth,  and  on  each  fide  with  bricks  for 
foot  paflengers ;  between  the  brick  and  ft«jne  pavements  are  gutters, 
paved  with  brick,  to  carry  off  the  water,  and  the  foot  ways  are  de- 
fended from  the  approach  of  carriages  by  rows  of  pofts  placed 
•without  the  gutters,  at  the  diftance  of  ten  or  twelve  feet  from  each 
Qther, 

Befides  the   forementioned  ftreets,    there  are  many  others  not 
originally  laid  down  in  the  plot,  the  moft  public  of  which  are  Water 
ftreet  and  Dock  ftreet.    Water  ftreet  is  thirty  feet  wide,  running  be- 
low the  bank,  at  the  diftance  of  about  forty  feet  eaftward  from  and 
parallel  to  Front  ftreet,  extending  from  the  north  line  of  the  city 
fouthward  to  the  bridge  over  the  dock,  which  was  formerly  a  draw 
bridge,  and  retains  that  naine  in  common  ufe,  although  it  was  con- 
verted into  a  ftone  arch  above  thirty  years  fince  ;  from  the  bridge  it 
is  forty  feet  wide  in  a  right  line  to  Pine  ftreet,  and  leaves  a  row  of 
houfes  without  yards,  on  the  bank,  in  its  vy hole  length,  between  it 
and  Front  ftreet ;  louthward  of  Pine  ftreet,  there  is  an  offset  of  about 
eighty  feet  eaftward,  and  the  ftreet  from  thence  .to  Cedar  ftreet  is 
forty-five  feet  wide,  and  called  Pcnn  ftreet.    This  ftreet,  in  the  ori- 
ginal  plan,  was  intended  only  for  a  cart  way  to  accommodate  the 


OF    PENNSYLVANIA^  413 

"^•"^rfe  and  ftorea  to  be  erected  under  the  bank,  and  not  to  rife  more 
Ijaati  four  feet  above  it,  fo  as  to  leave  the  river  open  to  the  view  fron^ 
^•^^  weft  fide  of  Front  ftreet ;  but  the  inhabitants  were  foon  con- 
^*^ced  that  the  ground,  on  both  ftreets,  was  too  valuable  to  be  kept 
^^improved,  in  any  degree,  merely  for  the  fake  of  a  profpe<^,  and 
^  is  clofely  built  with  lofty  houfes,  except  a  yery  few  vacancies  here 
?^d  there,  throughout  the  whole  front  on  both  fides,  and  commodi- 
ous wharfs  are  extended  into  the  river,  at  which  the  largeft  fhips  that 
ufe  the  port,  can  lie  in  fafety  to  difcharge  and  receive  their  cargoes, 
and  are  defended  from  the  ice  in  winter  by  the  piers,  made  of  logs 
extending  into  the  river,  funk  with  ftone  and  filled  with  earth,  fo  a$ 
to  be  equally  firm  with  the  main  land. 

Dock  tlreet  is  the  only  crooked  ftreet  in  the  city  ;  beginning  at 
the  bridge  in  Front  ftreet,  and  extending  north-weftvvard  in  a  ferpen- 
^ine  traft  through  two  fquares,  acrofs  Second  andWalnutftreets,  and 

I 

terminates  at  Third  ftreet  ;  another  branch  of  it  extends  fouth-weft- 
ward  acrofs  Spruce  ftreet,  and  terminates  at  Second  ftreet.  The 
ground  occupied  by  this  ftreet,  and  by  an  open  fpace  between  it  and 
Spruce  ftreet,  below  the  bridge,  was  formerly  a  fwamp,  and  was 
given  by  William  Penn  to  the  corporation  for  the  ufe  of  the  city ;  it 
was  intended  as  a  place  to  dig  a  bafon  and  docks  to  ftielter  the  fliip- 
ping,  but  experience  proved  that  fliips  could  be  defended  from  the 
ice  by  the  piers  extended  into  the  river,  and  that  the  dock  could  not 
t>e  kept  clean  but  at  an  expenfe  far  beyond  its  utility,  wherefore  it 
was  neglected  till  it  became  a  nuifance  offenfive  to  the  fmcll  and  inju- 
rious to  the  health  of  the  inhabitants,  and  was  by  an  a<5l  of  AfTembly^ 
ordered  to  be  arched  over  and  covered  with  earth,  whereby  the 
city  acquired  a  beautiful  ftreet  more  than  one  hundred  feet  in  breadth 
towards  the  water,  and  not  lefs  than  ninety  feet  in  the  narrowefl: 
part. 

The  number  of  the  ftreets,  lanes,  and  alleys,  laid  out  by  the 
pwners  of  tlie  lots  before  they  were  built  on,  is  too  great  to  be  enu- 
merated here,  there  being  fcarce  a  fquare  that  is  not  interfe£ted  by 
one  or  more  of  them,  fome  of  them  continued  in  a  right  line  through 
feveral  fquares,  and  fo  fpacious  as  to  be  eafily  miftaken  for  main 
Greets,  others  only  through  one  fquare. 

The  city  was  firft  incorporated  by  charter  under  the  great  feal  of 
the  province,  in  the  year  1701 ;  before  that  period  it  was  called  the 
town  of  Philadelphia.  By  this  charter  William  Penn  nominated  the 
firft  mayor,  recorder,  aldermen,  and  common  councilmen,  and 
granted  them,  among  other  privileges  and  franchifes,  that  of  eleding 


414  GENERAL   DESCRIPTION 

others  to  fupplj  vacancies,  and  even  to  increafe  their  own  nucn^r  td! 
pleafure.    The  public  grounds  were  granted  to  thena  by  the  naine 
of  the  mayor  and  commonalty  of  the  city  of  Philadelplua,  but  the 
commonalty  had  no  fliare  in  the  goremment  or  eftate  of  the  city,  the 
whole  body  being  felf-eledtive,  and  not  accountable  to  the  citizens  in 
any  refpedt.     It  would  be  difficult  to  account  for  fo  extraordinary  a 
charter  from  the  wifdom  of  William  Penn,  did  not  tradition  inforrt 
IK,  that  among  the  firft  fettlers  were  a  confiderable  number  from  the 
city,  of  Briftol  in  England,  whofe  cliarter,  granted  at  an  early  period, 
before  the  rights  of  the  commonalty  were  well  underilood,  had  beea 
£iiniliarized  by  habit,  which  induced  them  to  requeft  a  fimilar  one ; 
a  copy  of  the  Briftol  charter  was  accordingly  procured,  and  with 
little  variation  adopted.    It  was  not  long,  however,  before  the  com- 
monalty began  to  be  difiatisfied  with  it,  and  to  make  frequest  com- 
plaints  to  the  AiTembly,  of  the  abufes  that  were  pra^tifed  under  it ; 
many  of  which  appear  upon  the  minutes  of  the  houfe.    At  an  early^ 
period  after  the  charter,  the  legiflatrve  powers  of  this  corporation 
were  very  limited  ;  they  could  not  levy  a  fhilting  by  taxes  for  any 
wfe  whatever,  and  could  employ  the  income  of  the  city  eftates  only 
for  the  ufe  and  embellifhment  of  the  city ;  wherefore  we  fee  Sbw  dkk 
Buments  raifed  to  preferve  the  memory  of  that  corporation.    Al- 
though the  firft  men  for  integrity  and  abilities  to  be  found  io  the  city 
were  ekd^ed  into  the  o^eof  the  body  politic^  yetTueh  is  the  nature 
of  unlimited  power,  not  accountable  to  the  people,  that  it  will  divert 
the  beft  men  from  purpofes,  which,  before  they  were  invefted  with 
the  power,  they  would  have  highly  approved.    The  jealoi^  which 
the  citizens  entertained  of  the  corpofatioR  pervaded  theOenerat  Af« 
iembly  of  the  proviiM:e,    and  when  the  lighting,  watdiing,  and 
paving  the  city  became  a  deiirable  obje^,  the  reprefentatives  of  the 
freemen  would  not  entruft  the  corporatidn  alone  with  the  power  of 
raifing  of  expending  the  money  necelTary  for  thefe  purpofes ;  they 
could  not,  however,  caft  fuch  a  reflexion  on  the  refpeAable  cha? 
rapiers  of  which  that  body  was  compofed,  as  wholly  to  veil  theie 
powers  wkh  others ;  they  purfued  a  middle  line,  and  conftituted  two 
feparate  bodies  by  the  names  of  city  wardens  and  ftreet  commif- 
fioners,  to  the  former  of  whom  the  lighting  and  watching,  and  to  the 
tatter  the  paving  of  the  Greets,  was  comoiitted  ;  the  mayor,  or  re- 
corder, and  four  of  the  aldermen  concurring  with  each  body  in  layr 
tng  the  taxes  and  prefcribing  the  mode  of  expending  them  ;  thus  the 
city  legidatton  for   thele  purpofes   became  compotmded   of  two 

braacfaesf 


•'.  i.ii 


Ot    l^ENNSYLVANIA.  *  415 

WaAcheS}  the  wardens  and  commiffioners  immediately  deSed  by  the 
people,  in  the  fame  manner  as  their  reprefentatives  in  AiTembly, 
condituted  the  demdcratie,  and  the  mayor  and  aldermen  the  ariflo- 
cratic  branch.  Thefe  bodies,  thils  compounded,  condudied  the  bu- 
ilneis  committed  to  them  with  great  harmony,  nor  is  there  the  leaft 
recolledtion  of  any  difagreemjcnt  between  them  ;  the  taxes  were  laid 
ivith  equality,  colle6ted  with  moderation^  and  expended  for  the  real 
ufe  and  improvement  of  the  city ;  one  complaint  only  had  foun* 
dation,  which  arofe  from  the  nature  rather  than  from  any  abufe 
of  the  powers  :  the  number  of  wardens  and  fb'eet  commiffioners 
was  fo  great,  as  at  very  moderate  wages  to  render  thofe  boards  too 
expcnfive.  / 

For  the  honour  of  the  late  corporation  it  ought  not  to  be  omitted^ 
that  the  mayor's  court  was  always  filled  with  an  able  lawyer  for  the 
recorder,  and  another  for  the  profecution  of  criminal  offences  ;  • 
and  Aich  was  the  orderly  and  upright  adminiftration  of  juflice  in 
it,  that  no  court  in  the  province^  or  perhaps  in  any  other  country 
exceeded  iti 

TJiie  prejudices  under  which  the  old  corporation  laboured  from  its 
original  conflitution,  were  fo  ftrong,  that  upon  the  revolution,  the 
General  Affembly  declared,  by  an  a6fc  pafled  during  their  firil  fefTion^ 
•*  That  the  powers  and  jurifdidion  hitherto  exercifed  by  the  mayor^ 
recorder,  and  aldermen  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  were  not  founded 
on  the  authority  of  the  people,  and  are  therefore  become  null  and 
void«"  Wherefore^  by  that  and  feveral  fubfequent  a&s,  the  powers 
of  the  corporation  were  diflributed  between  the  fupreme  executive 
council,  the  city  magiftrates,  and  the  wardens  and  itreet  commif- 
fioners, who  exercifed  them  from  the  year  1777,  to  1789.  The 
prejudices,  which  had  no  foundation  as  againfl  corporations  in  ge- 
neral^ but  only  againfi:  the  conilitution  of  the  late  corporation  of  the 
city,  were  however  fo  ftrong,  that  it  was  with  difficulty  the  people 
could  be  {M'evailed  upon  to  fubmit  to  a  new  incorporation  of  the  city. 
The  defeats  in  the  adminif^ration  of  juflice  and  governing  the  police 
of  the  city  at  length  became  fo  glaring,  that  they  were  feen  by  all 
clafles  of  people,  and  their  minds  prepared  for  an  a6t  of  incorpora- 
tion. The  General  Affembly,  in  the  winter  feffions  of  1789,  favour- 
ing  the  wifhes  of  the  citizens,  pafled  an  ad,  intitled,  An  A6t  to  in* 
corporate  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  which,  with  a  fupplement  pafTedia 
2  790,  conftitutes  the  prefent  city  charter. 

x  Bjr 


I 

4tS  e£>}£kAt    DESCRlPTIok 

Bvtheie  a&s the  common  council  confifts  of  two  branches:  UttA 
tf  dermen  are  chofcn  by  the  freeholders  to  continue  in  office  for  feveA 
years ;  they  chuf(fr  a  recorder  froiti  the  citizens  at  large  for  fevcn  ycarsj 
tod  a  mayor  from  their  own  number  for  one  year.    Thirty  common 
councilmen  are  chofen  by  the  citizens  at  large,  entitled  to  vote  for  re* 
prefcntatives  in  AiTembly,  to  continue  in  office  for  three  years ;  theft 
were  intended  to  form  a  balanced  government,  upon  the  principle 
that  the  choice  by  freeholders,  and  for  a  longer  term,  would  produce 
a  more  feleft  body  of  aldermen^  and  that  the  citizens  at  large  would 
chufe  chambers  fitter  to  reprefent  and  form  the  popular  branch  of 
city  government.     Eight  aldermen  and  (ixteen  common  councilmeik- 
form  a  qiionnn  or  board  to  tranfa^l  biifinefs,  at  which  the  mayor  oc^ 
recorder  prefides ;    they  (it  and  deliberate  together,    but  noafti* 
legal,  unlets  a  majority  of  the  aldermen,  a  majority  of  the  commoor 
councilme;j  prefent,  and  the  mayor  or  recorder,  concur. 

There  is  not  perhaps  in  the  world  a  more  liberal  plan  of  city  go* 
Vernment ;  every  clals  of  citizens  have  an  opportunity  of  reprcfenling 
and  being  rcprefented.  The  body  is  fufliciently  numerous  to  con- 
tain fomc  of  every  defcription,  and  of  every  fpecles  of  talents  and  in- 
formation neccfTary  for  deliberation  and  execution,  and  yet  not  fd 
large  as  to  be  incumbered  with  its  own  weight ;  itpofTefTes  the  powert 
of  legiflation  and  taxation  in  all  cafes  necefFary  for  the  well-governing 
and  improving  the  city,  except  in  contradiction  to  a6ls  of  the  Ge- 
neral AfTembly ;  and  from  the  many  improvements  already  intro- 
duced, there  is  reafon  to  hope  that  its  police  will  be  equal  to  that  ef 
any  modern  city. 

A  city  court  is  held  by  the  mayor,  recorder,  and  aldermen  four 
times  in  a  year,  and  holds  cognizance  of  all  crimes  and  mifdemeanors 
committed  within  the  city. 

A  court  of  aldermen,  having  cognisance  of  debtfi  above  forty  (hil* 
Jings,  and  not  exceeding  ten  pounds,  is  held  every  week,  beginning 
on  Monday  morning,  and  fitting  by  adjournments  until  the  bufincfs 
of  the  week  is  finiflied. 

Each  alderman  has  feparate  cognizance  of  debts  under  forty  fhil- 
lings. 

The  number  of  inhabitants  within  the  city  and  fuburbs,  including 
the  di{lri(51:  of  Southwaik  and  the  compaftly  built  part  of  the  Nor* 
thg*n  liberties,  which,  to  every  purpofe  but  as  to  their  govern' 
ment,  are  confidered  as  parts  of  the  city,  was  found  by  the  latecenfus 
to  be  forty-two  thoufund  five  hundred  and  twenty,  and  the  nurabcr 

of 


or    PENNSYLVANIA.'  J^l'^jf. 

:houfand  fix  hundred  and  fifty-one,  and  flores  of  work-; 
idred  and  fifteen.  •' 

s  for  public  worfiiip  arc  minicrous,  and  \are  as  foL 


r  Quakers,  have 

S"" 

The  Swedish  Lutherans, 

'    If:- 

iajis  and  Sece- 

The  Moravians,       .      .      . 

.    I  ■ 

•      •  ■    •      • 

6 

The  Baptifts,     i      .      .      , 

• 

I 

liana, 

3 

'J  he  Univerfal  Baptifts, 

'       \     ■ 

Lutherans,     . 

2 

The  Methodifts,       .      .      . 

I 

Calvinifls, 

I 

The  Jews,    .      .      .      .      , 

.       t     • 

>  •'    •     •      •     4 

5ublic  buildings  in  the  city,  befides  the  univerfit^  aa^ 

le  following : 

md  offices,  Two  incorporated  banks» 

t  houfes,  A  houfc  of  corredionj 

't  houfe,  A  dramatic  theatre, 

lall,  A  public  obiervatory, 

al  fociety^'s  hall,         A  medical  theatre  and  elaboratory. 

Three  biick  market  houfes, 
.  offices,  A  fifli  markelt, 

J,  A  pubhc  gaol,  &c* 

nife  is  in  Chefnut  Hreet,  between  Fifth  and  Sixth  flreet% 
ed  as  early  as  1735.  The  building  is  rather  roagnifi* 
ant,  but  when  it  is  renr*embered  that  it  was  built  withiij 
rs  after  the  firft  European  cabin  was  erc6fed  in  Penn- ' 
irchiteiftUfe  i§  j\«ftly  admired.  The.ftate  houfe  yard. 
gant,  and  fpacious  public  walk,  ornamented  with 
;    but  a  high  brick  wall«  which  enclofes  it,  limits  th^ ' 

n  elegant  -court  houfe  was  ereiTted  on  the  left  of  the 

and   on  the   right,    the  town   hall     or  new    court 

^hiiofophical  hall.     Thefe  add  much  to  th^  beauty  of 

e  flate  houfc  is  the  public  gaol,  built  of  ilone.     It  has  . 
ilory,  and  two  ftories  above  it.     Every  apartment  is 

:  houfcs  is  for  tl^ofe  Quakers  who  took  up  arms  in  defence  of  thcif 
e  war,  contrary  to  the  eilabliihed  principles  of  the  Friends.     They 
ec  Quakei-s. 
aldcft  ch«rch  in  or  near  the  city,  at^d  ha^  ^tel^'  been  annexed  rp  llit 

3  H  trcbc4 


41 8  QBKERAL   DESCRIPTION 

arched  with  ftooc  againft  fire  and  force.  It  is  a  hollow  iqnarti  oi^ 
hundred  ieet  in  front,  and  is  the  neateft  and  rooft  fecure  building  of 
the  kind  in  America.  To  the  gaol  is  annexed  a  work  houfe,  with 
yards  to  each,  to  feparate  the  faxes,  and  criminals  from  debtors. 
7here  have  lately  been  added  apartments  in  the  yards  for  foiltary 
confinement  of  criminals  according  to  the  new  penal  code.  Of  four- 
thoufand  and  iixty  debtors,  and  four  thoufand  criminals,  in  the  whole 
eight  thoufand  and  fixty  who  were  confined  in  this  new  gaol,  between 
the  28(h  of  September,  1760,  and  the  fifth  of  September,  1790,1 
twelve  only  died  a  natural  death  in  the  gaol. 

The  hofpital  and  poor  houfe,  in  which  are  upwards  of  three 
hundred  poor  people,  whether  we  confider  the  buildings,  or 
the  defigns  for  which  they  were  ere6led,  are  unrivalled  in  America* 

The  German  church,  lately  erefted,  is  one  of  the  moft  ehgafil 
churches  in  America.  Mr.  D.  Taneberger,  one  of  the  united  bre- 
thren's fociety  at  Litiz,  a  great  mechanical  genius,  has  completed 
and  credted  a  large  organ  for  this  church. 

The  market  houfe  in  High  ftreei  is  apknowleged  by  Europeans  to. 
exceed  any  thing  they  have  feen  of  the  kind ;  it  is  one  thoufand  five 
hundred  feet  in  length,  and  in  the  extent,  neatnefir,  variety  and  abim* 
dance  of  proviiions,  is  not  equalled  in  America.  There  are  two 
others  at  different  parts  of  the  city,  which  do  honour  to  the  citizeos 
and  their  police. 

The  city  is  provided  with  a  number  of  public  and  private  chaiv 
table  inftitutions  ;  the  principal  of  which  are,  the  houfe  of  empfcy- 
ment,  a  large  commodious  building,  where  the  poor  of  the  citj  asd 
fome  adjoining  tounfliips  are  fupported  and  employed  in  coaiie 
jnanufadures  to  aid  in  defraying  their  expenfes,  under  the  care  of 
the  overfcei-s  and  guardians  of  the  poor,  who  are  a  corporate  body 
created  for  this  purpofe  by  a6k  of  Ailembly,  with  power  "to  tay  taxes 
for  its  farther  fupport. 
.  The  Pennf>  Ivania  hofpital. 

The  Qiiakers*  alms  houfe  is  fupported  by  that  fociety  for  the  xtk 
of  their  own  poor;  it  is  divided  into  a  number  of  feparate  houfes 
and  rooms  for  families  or  fingle  perfons  who  have  fallea  into  decay; 
moft  of  them  contribute  by  their  indiiftry  towards  their  own  fupport^ 
but  are  (iipplied  with  whatever  their  induflry  falls  fliort  of  procuriogi 
by  a  coromityee  of  the  fociety,  and  live  more  comfortably  than  many 
who  in  full  health,  and  unhurt  by  accident,  provide  for  their  own 
fubilllecce ;  there  is  a  coniiderable  garden  belonging  to  thb  haak^ 


bT  iENtrsVLvAkiAv  4^ 

^rom  which  the  city  is  fupplicd,  at  very  moderate  prices^  with  every 
%ind  of  medicinal  herbs  common  to  the  climate. 

The  hofpital  for  lunatics  is  a  fine  elegant  building,  and  well  kept } 
-it  has  a  library^  in  which  there  is  an  elegant  bud  of  Franklin.  The 
-ball  on  the  firft  floor  is  appropriated  to  lick  men,  and  the  fecond  floor 
-sto  women.  The  lunatics  have  each  a  cell  furniflicd  with  a  bed  and 
cable,  and  a  ftove  fcr  the  conveniency  or  .warming  the  cell  in  winter. 
-  Moft  of  the  patients  that  this  hofpital  has  received  have  been  the 
•vidlims  of  religious  melancholy,  or  difappointed  love. 

The  following  interefting  account  of  the  Quaker's  Hofpital,  or 
JBettering  Houfe,  as  it  is  properly  called^  is  extra£ted  from  Bmssor^i 
■Travels  in  the  United  States,  Letter  XL  page  i6y.  "  This  hofpital 
■is  fituated  in  tlie  open  country,  in  one  of  thofe  parts  of  the  origimil 
jdan  of  Philadelphia  not  yet  covered  with  houfes ;  it  is  Conftrufted  of 
jbricks,  and  compofed  of  two  large  buildings ;  one  for  men,  and 
-the  other  for  women.  There  is  afeparation  in  the  court,  Which  is 
comnoon  to  them.  This  inftitution  has  feveral  objedls :  they  re- 
•ceive  into  it  the  poor,  the  fick,  orphans,  women  in  travail,  and 
*peribns  attacked  with  venereal  difeafes.  They  likewife  confine  hem 
vagabonds,  diforderly  perfons,  and  girls  of  fcandalous  livei. 

**  There  exifls,  then,  you  will  fey,  even  in  Phiiadfelphia,  that  dif- 
:g;u(ling  commerce  of  difeafes,  rather  than  of  pleafu res,  which  for  ifo 
long  a  time  has  empoifoned  our  continent.  Yesj  my  friendj  tWo 
.or  three  of  the  moft  confiderable  maritime  toWns  of  the  new  conti- 
nent are  alEi£i:ed  by  tbis  leprofy.  It  was  almoil  unknown  before  tBc 
Tcvoiution;  but  the  abode  of  foreign  armies  ha$  naturalized' it,  and 
•St  is  one  of  thofe  fcourges  for  which  the  free  Americans  are  iridebtect 
-to  us.  But  this  traffic  is  not  carried  on  fo  fcandaloudy  as  at  Paris 
lor  London k  It  is  retrained,  it  is  held  in  contempt;  arid  almoft  im- 
-perceptible.  I  ought  to  fay,  to  the  honour  of  thfc  Americans,  that  it 
-is  nouriflied  only  by  emigratits  and  Europiean  travellers;  fbr  the 
lan^ity  of  marriage  is  ftill  univerfally  refpeded  in  America.  Youtig 
.people  marrying  early,  and  without  obilaclesj  afe  not  tempted  tb  go 
-tod  dilhondur  and  empdifoa  themfelves  in  places  of  proftitutioh; 

•*  But^  to  finifli  my  account  of  this  hofpital*,  there  are  patticulaf 

halls  appropriated  to  each  clafs  of  poor,  and  to  each  fpecies  of  fick^ 

tiefs;  and  each  hall  has  hs  fupcrintendant;    This  inflitiition  was 

rich  and  well  admiuiftered  before  the  war.     The  greater  part  of  the 

.^ddtiflifirators  were  Q^iakers.     The  war  and  paper  money  ifttro- 

3  H  a  duced 


f+Mt  QBNfiRAL   DESCRIPTIOTT 

duced  a  different  order  of  things.     The  Icgiflature  refolvcd  dot  ft 
admit  to  its  adminiflration  any  perfons  but  iuch  as  had  taken  the  oatk 
of  fidelity  to  the  State.    The  Quakers  were  by  this  excluded,  and 
the  management  of  it  fell  into  hands  not  fo  pure.  .  The  fpirit  of  de- 
predation was  manifefl  in  it,  and  paper  money  was  fl ill  more  inju- 
fioirs.     Creditors  of  the  hospital  were  paid,  or  rather  ruined,  by  thi$ 
operation.     About  a  year  ago,  on  the  report  of  the  infpeftors  of  tbc 
hofpitals,  the  legiilature,  conlidcring  the  abufes  pra£^iied  in  that  ad- 
miniflration,   confided  that  of  the    bettering  houfe   again  to  thd 
Quakers^    Withou-t  any  refentment  of  the  all'ronts-  they  harf  received 
during  the  war,  and  only  anxious  to  do  good  and  perforin  their  duty, 
the  Fries'ds  accepted  the  adminiflration,  and  exercife  it  as  before 
with  zeal  and  fidelky,     Thw  change  has  produced  the  effect  which 
was  expelled.     Order  is  vilibly  re-cflabliflied;  many  adminiflratof* 
arc  appointed,  one  of  whom,  by  turns,  is  to  vifit  the  hofpital  every 
day:   fix  ph}fR:ian$  are  attached  to  it,  who  perform  the   forvicb 

"  I  have  fecn  the  hofpitals  of  France,  both  at  Paris  and  in  thi 
provinces. — ^1  know  none  of  them  but  the  one  at  Befan^on,  that  caiK 
be  compared  to  this  at  Philadelphia.  Every  fick  and  every  poor  pcr^ 
ion  haahis  bed  well  furniflied,  hut  without  curtains,  as  it  fhould  be; 
Every  room  is  lighted  by  windows  placed  oppofite,  which  introduce 
plenty  of  light,  that  great  confolation  to  a  man  confmed,  of  whicfir 
tyrants  for  this  reafon  are  cruelly  fparing.  Thefe  windows  admit  i 
free  circulation  of  air ;  mofl  of  them  open  over  the  fields,  and  as 
tbey  are  not  very  high,  and  are  without  grates,  it  would  be  very  eaf]^ 
for  the  prifoners  to  make  their  cfcnpe,  but  the  idea  never  enters  thefr 
beads.  This  fa*5t  proves  that  the  piifoners  are  happy,,  amd,  confe^* 
<^^ently,  that  the  adminiflration  is  good.  . 

"  The  kitchens  are  well  kept,  an<l  do  riot  exhale  that  fietid  odour 
which  you  perceive  frpm  the  bell:  kitchens  in  France.  The  eating 
rooms,  whivK  are  ou  the  groui^d  iloor,  are  equally  clean,  aod  well 
aired  :  neatnefs  aiKl  good  air  reign  i^n  every  part*  A  large  gardeii  at 
the  end  of  the  court  furniflies  vegetables  for  the  kitchen.  I  was  fur-^ 
prifed  to  find  there  a  great  number  of  foreign  fhrubs  and  plant^.-^ 
The  garden  is  \vell  cultivated.  Ih  the  yard  they  rear  a  great  inimber 
gt  hogs ;  for^  in  America,  the  hog,  as  well  as  the  ox,  does  the  honoun 
of  the  table  through  the  whole  year, 

'*  J  could  fcarcely  defcribe  to  you  thg  different  fenfations  which' 
1^  turu&  rejoiced  and  a^ded  ny  heart  in  going  tin^Uj^h  their  dif- 


61^   PENirSYLVANIArf  v        4*^ 

apartments.  An  hofpital,  how  i^»eU  focvcr  adminiftered,  is 
5  a  painfiiJ  fpe6tacle  to  mc.  It  appears  to  me  fo  confoling  for 
man  to  be  at  his  own  home,  attended  by  his  wife  and  children^ 
ifited  by  his  neighbours,  that  I  regard  hofpitaU  as  vaft  fepUU 
where  are  brought  together  a  crowd  of  individiuds,  ilrangers 
:h  other,  and  feparated  from  all  they  hold  dear.  And  what  is 
in  this  fituation  ? — A  leaf  detached  from  the  tree,  and  drivea. 
by  the  torrent — a  fkeleton  no  longer  of  any  coniiftencei  anct 
ring  on  diffolution. 

But  this  idea  foon  gives  place  to  another.  Since  Societies  are 
rtined  to  be  infeiled  with  great  cities,  fince  mifery  and  vice  arc 
i^ceiTary  offspring  of  thefe  cities,  a  houfe  like  this  becomes  th« 
XI  of  beneficence ;  for,  without  the  aid  of  fuch  inlHtutions, 
would  become  of  the  greater  part  of  thofe  wretches  wiio  hers- 
.  refuge ;  fo  many  women ;  fo  many  perfons  blind  and  dea^ 
:red  difguiling  by  their  numerous  infirmities  ?-r-They  muft 
foon  peri  ill,  aibandoned  by  all  the  world,  to  whom  they  are 
yers.  No  door  but  that  of  their  common  mother  earth  would 
/e  th6fe  hideous  figures,  were  it  not  for  this  provifion  made  by 
common  friend,  Society, 

I  faw  in  this  hofpital  all  that  mikry  and  difeafe  can  affemble.  1 
women  fuffering  on  the  bed  of  pain  j  others,  whofe  rotagpe, 
es,  rendered  difguiling  by  eruptions,  attefl  the  fatal  ef&dts  of  io- 
nence  ;  others,  who  waited  with  groans  the  moment  when  Hea- 
vould  deliver  thetn'  from  a  burden  of  life,  becaufe  afl^dled  with 
iciating  pain ;  others,  holding  in  their  arms  the  fruit,  not  of  a 
marriage,  but  of  love  betrayed.  Poor  innocents !  born  under 
lar  of  wretchednefs !  Why  (hould  men  be  born  predeilinated 
isfortuncs  ?  But,  blefs  God,  at  leaft,  that  you  are  in  a  country 
e  baftardy  is  no  qbflacle  to  refpedability  and  the  rights  of  citi- 
lip.  I  faw  with  pleafure  thefe  unhappy  mothers  carcffing  their 
ts  and  nuriing  them  with  tendernefs.  There  were  few  children 
s  hall  of  the  little  orphans ;  thefe  were  in  good  health,  and  ap- 
d  gay  and  happy.  Mr.  Shoemaker,  who  condudied  me  thithe||^ 
another  of  the  directors,  diftributed  fome  cakes  among  them 
1  they  had  brought  in  their  pockets.  Thus  the  dircdlors  tliink 
.'ir  charge  even  at  a  diftance,  and  occupy  themfelves  with  their 
inefs.  Good  God  !  there  is  then  a  coutitry  where  the  foul  of 
ovcrnor  of  an  hofpital  is  not  a  foul  of  brafs  1 

.    *•  Black* 


4^1  dBNCltAL    DCiCRIPTlolr 

^  Blacki  ire  berr  mingled  with  whites,  and  lodged  in  tbt  fatm 
ttpartoients.  This,  to  me,  was  an  edifying  fight ;  it  ieemed  a  badtt 
to  my  foul.  I  faw  a  negro  woman  fpinning  with  ai£tivity  by  the  fide 
-of  her  bed.  Her  eyes  Teemed  to  expert  from  the  dire^or  a  word  of 
•coniolattoQ-^She  obtained  it ;  and  it  feemed  to  be  heaven  to  her  t« 
•kear  him.  I  Oiould  have  been  more  happy  had  it  been  for  me  to 
•have  fpokeii  thi«  word  s  I  (hould  have  added  many  more.  Unhappy 
-negroes  !  how  much  reparation  do  we  owe  them  for  the  evils  we  have 
occafioned  them*— the  evils  we  itill  occafion  them  !--^ad  they  love 
us! 

"  The  happinefs  of  this  ncgrefs  was  not  equal  to  that  which  I  faW 

Sparkle  on  the  vilage  of  a  young  blind  girl,  who  feemed  to  leap  fof 

Joy  at  the  found  of  the  director's  voice.    He  aflced  after  her  health  i 

flie  aniWered  him  with  tranfport.     She  was  taking  her  tea  by  the  fide 

•©f  her  little  table— Her  tea ! — My  friend,  you  are  aftoniflied  at  this 

luxury  in  an  hofpital — It  is  becauie  there  is  humanity  in  its  admini^ 

tration,  and  the  wretches  are  not  crowded  in  here  in  heaps  xb  be 

•flified.     They  give  tea  to  thofe  whofe  condud  is  faTisfa<5k}ry ;  ao4 

thofe  who  by  thdr  work  are  able  to  make  fome  fa vings,  enjoy  the 

fruits  of  their  induflry.    I  remarked  in  this  hofpital,  that  the  wonoed 

were  much  more  numerous  than  the  men  ;  and  among  the  latter,  I 

-law  none  of  thofe  hideous  figures  fo  common  in  the  hofpkals  of 

JUj'w^  figures  on  which  you  trace  the  mark  of  crimes,  mifery,.  and  in* 

•  dolence.     They  have  a  decent  appearance  :  many  of  thein  aflied  the 

-dire^or  for  their  enlargement,  which  they  obtained. 

**  But  what  rcfources  have  they  on  leaving  this  -houfe  ?  Thtj 
have  their  hands,  anfwercd  the  dirertor,  and  they  may  find  nfefiil 
occupations.  But  the  women,  replied  I,  what  can  they  do  ?  Thdr 
condition  is  not  fo  fortunate,  faid  he.  In  a  town  where  fo  many  men 
^re  occupied  in  foreign  commerce^  the  number  of  unhappy  and  dif' 
^orderly  females  will  be  angmented.  To  prevent  this  inconvenience^ 
St  has  been  lately  propofed  to  form  a  new  efiablifhrnent,  which  ihall 
give  to  girls  of  this  defcription  a  ufeful  occupation^  where  the  pro* 
4huce  of  the  induftry  of  each  pcrfori  fliall  be  preferred  and  given  t0 
her  on  leaving  the  houfe  }  or  if  flie  (liouhl  choofe  to  rehnaiuj  Ihe  fiiall 
always  enjoy  the  fruit  of  her  own  labour. 

**  This  project  will,  without  doubt,  be  exeaited ;  fOr  the  Qpaieif 
tre  ingenious  and  rerfeyering  uhcn  they  ha\"e  in  view  the  foccottfof 
the  unlisfppy.'* 
*-  Ahouft 


OF   PENNSYLTANXA*  42J 

A  hcnife  founded  by  the  late  I>r.  John  Keaffiey  the  elder,  for  tto- 
fupport  of  twelve  elderly  widows  of  the  Protefiam  Epifcopal  coovr 
munion,  in  which  a  number  of  perfons  of  that  defcriptton,  who. 
bave  feen  better  days,  ace  very,  comfortably  and  deCentlj  proYidei^ 
fbn 

The  humane  focicty  for  recovering  perfons  fuppofed  to  be  deikb 
by  drowning,  eftablifh^d  upon  fimilar  principles  with  thofo  of  thur 
fsmie  name  in  mod  fea  ports  in  Europe ;  it  is  under  the  care  o^ 
firelve  managers,  annually  chofeq  by  the  fubfcribers  ;  the  phyficianr 
afford  their  aid  to  this  inilitution  gratis,  a  number  of  thefe  being  ap*: 
pOinted  for  the  purpofe  by  the  managers.  ^ 

Almoft  every  religious  fociety  has  a  fund  undef  proper  dire^tion^ 
tame  uf  which  are  incorporated  for  the  relief  of  the  widow#andt   ' 
diiidren  of  their  clerg)^  oc  other  diflreffcd  members  of  their  com-. 
Ifhinion. 

There  are  tlfo  focieties  formed  for  the  relief  of  particular  deforipr^ 
fions  of  perfons,  with  funds  raifed  by  fubfcriptions  or  otherwife^  for- 
f  the  purpofe,  fuch  as  the  fea  captains  fociety,  the  Delaware  pilots' 
''ibciet}',  ieparate  focieties  for  the  relief  and  affiftancc  of  emigrantt^ 
and  other  diflreiled  perfons,  from  England,  Scotland,  Ireland,  Ger- 
Ktany,  &c*  fome  of  which  are  incorporated,  {o  that  there  can  fcarco^ 
happen  an  inilance  of  individual  diflrefs,  for  which  a  mode  of  ad« 
ricef  affiftance  or  relief,  is  not  provided  without  refort  to  publio 

lagging- 
Seminaries  of  learning  are  eftablifiied  upon  the  moft  enlarged  and 

libcrai  principles,  of  which  the  principal  are,  the  univeriky  of  Penti* 

iylvania  and  college  of  Philadelphia. 

Almoft  every  religious  fociety  have  one  or  more  Ichools  uwlcr- 

<iieir  immediate  dire6tion,  for  the  education  of  their  own  youth  of 

{x>th  fexes,  as  well  of  the  rich,  who  arc  able  to  pay,  as  of  the  poor, 

who  are  taught  and  provided  with  books  and  ftationaiy  gratis;  bc» 

fides  which,  there  are  a  number  of  private  fchools  under  the  dirci^ioA* 

of  makers  and  midrelTes,    independent  of  any  public  l^dy ;    and- 

there  are  feveral  private  academies  for  the  inftru^tion  of  young  tadie%    ' 

in  all  the  branches  of  polite  literature,  fuitable  to  the  fex ;  and  theri^ 

is  no  individual,  whofe  parents  or  guardians,  mailers  or.  nilftreflfes,, 

will  take  the  trouble  to  apply,  but  will  be  admitted  into  fome  one  off 

thefe  fchools,  and  if  they  are  unable- to  pay,  will  bfe  taught  gratis  ; 

it  ought  nof  to  be  omitted,  that  there  is  a  fchool  for  the  Afncanl^ 

of  every  fliade  or  colour,  kept  under  the  care  and  at  the  expenfe  off 


4^24  GEHERAL    DESCRIPTION 

]the  Qiiakers,into  which  are  admrtted  gratis,  (laves  aswell.uto 
perfont  of  .whatever  age,  of  both  fexes,  and  taught  reading,  wrhio^' 
arithmetic, .  knitting,  fcwing,  and  other  ufeful  female  accoropliih* 
pncntt :  this  fchool  was  originnlly  indituted  by  private  fubfcriptioDi 
of  tlie  fociety,  with  a  view  to  j^rcpare  that  degraded  race  for  abetter. 
iituation  in  civil  life  ;■  but  the  will  of  the  late  Anthony  Benezet,  o( 
benevolent  mcmgry,  a  conliderable  donation  from  the  fociety  in  Eng» . 
Jknd,  and  fome  other  charitable  devifes,  have  provided  funds  ade- 
quate to  its  future  fuppOFt,  and  it  will  no  longer  be  burthenfome  to 
individuals. 

Sunday  fchools,  for  the  inftru£tion  of  children  who  would  othcr^, 
wife  fpend  that  day  in  idlenefs  or  mifchief,  have  lately  been  ioffi* 
ftuted^  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  will  tend  to  amend  the  morals  and  con- 
du6t  of  the  rifing  generation. 

'The  pyblic  library  of  Philadelphia  is  a  mofl  ufeful  inftitution;  'i 
(contains  near  ten  thoufand  volumes,  well  fele6ked,  for  the  inform?- 
tion  and  improveirent  of  all  ranks  of  the  citizens  ;  they  are  depofited 
in-  an  elegant  building  lately  erecled,  in  a  modern  (^ylc^  and  are 
acceflible  every  day  in  the  week  except  Sunday.  Here  the  man  of 
learning  may  confult  the  work  of  the  remoteft  ages,  and  trace  bif» 
tories,  arts  and  Iciences,  from  their  infancy  to  this  prefentftate  of 
improvement ;  and  the  mechanic,  the  labourer,  the  ftudentorajh 
'  prenfice,  may  be  fupj)lied  with  books  to  improve  their  minds  or 
amufe  them  in  their  vacant  hours  at  home.  The  company  confiil* 
of  fome  hundred?  of  proprietors,  incorporated  by  charter,  who  pay 
ten  ihillings  annually  for  the  purchafe  of  pew  books  apd  defjrajring 
incidental  ej«penfes ;  twelve  diredors  are  annually  chofen,  who  ma* 
rage  the  concerns  of  the  company  and  keep  a  correfpondence  wita 
Europe,  from  whence  they  are  regularly  fupplied  with  new  publica* 
tions  of  reputation  nnd  merit. 

The  corporation  have  lately  ordered  the  ftreets,  lanes,  and  allc)'» 
^o  be  marked  at  every  interfe<^ion  of  each  other,  and  the  houfcs  to 
be  numbered.  The  names  painted  on  boards,  with  an  index  band 
pointing  to  the  progrellion  of  the  numbers,  are  already  affixed  at  tb« 
corners  of  the- ftreets,  fo  that  with  the  aid  of  the  direftory  a  ftrangtf 
may  find,  witliQut  diihcuky,  anv  houfe  whofe  ftreet  and  number 
{mown. 

The  city,  within  a  few  ypars  paf^,  has  experienced  a  very  remark* 
a^le  revolution  in  refpedt  to  the  healthinefs  of  its  inhabitants:  tht 
%iirof  iportaliiy  proves  that  the  numbpr  of  deaths  has  con^dfiJ^f 
llecceafed  fince  the  jear  1783,  i^otwithftanding  the  gre^t  incrcafcof 


OF    PENNSYLVANIA*  42^- 

opulation;  this  change  in  favour  of  health  and  liffe  is  afcribcd" 
•hyficians  to  the  co-operation  of  the  following  caufes :  ift,  The 
ing  the  dock,  whereby  a  Very  noxious  and  offenfive  nuifance 

removed,     adj  The  cultivation  of  the  lots  adjoining  and  partly  ' 
>unding  the  city,  whereby  another  extenfive  fource  of  putrid 
lations  is  dried  up.  3d,  An  increafed  care  in  deanfing  the  ftreets. 

An  increafe  of  horticulture,  and  confequently  a  greater  con- 
)tion  of  vegetable  aliments.  5th,  The  inftitution  of  the  dif- 
ary,  which  has  extended  medical  aid  to  many  hundreds  in  a  year, 

either  periflied  for  the  want  of  it,  or  were  facrificed  by  quacks. 

The  more  improved  ftate  of  phyfic,  whence  feveral  difeafes 
lerly  fatal  in  moft  inftances  are  better  underftood  and  treated, 
therefore  more  generally  cured.  And  7th,  From  a  general  dif- 
n  of  knowledge  among  all  clalFes  of  people,  fix)m  their  libraries, 
•  numerous  focieties,  monthly,  weekly,  and  daily  publications^ 
3ce  the  people  at  large  are  better  acquainted  than  formerly  with 
means  of  preferving  their  health,  as  may  be  exemplified  in  one 
iDce ;  there  was  but  one  death  in  the  fummer  of  1792  from 
king  cold  water,  whereas  fon^e  years  ago  twenty  has  not  been  an 
ammon  number  from  this  (ingle  caufe. 

1  this  account  of  Philadelphia,  it  maybe  neceflary  to  notice,  in  as* 
'ife  a  manner  as  poUible,  the  malignant  fever  which  made  fuch 
dful  ravages  there  in  the  year  1793.     This  account  we  Ihall  ex- 
:  from  a  pamphlet  written  on  tkat  fubjed  by  Matthew  Carey,* 
^.  of  Philadelphia. 

evioufly  to  the  appearance  of  the  malignant  fever  at  Philadel- 
.  the  profperity  of  that  city  was  fuch  as,  by  the  introdii£tion  of 
ry,  could  not  but  ferioufly  alarm  thofe  who  confidcred  «  how 
he  virtue,  the  liberty,  and  the  happinefs  of  a  nation  depend  oti 
mperance  and  fober  manners ;'  and  although  it  were  prefumption, 

the  author,  to  «  attempt  to  fcan  the  decrees  of  Heaven,  yet  few, 
ieve,  will  pretend  to  deny,  that  fomething  was  wanting  to  himi- 
:he  pride  of  a  city,  which  was  running  on  in  full  career  to  the 

of  prodigality  and  dliSpation.'    . 

ow  low  this  prodigal  and  luxurious  city  was  bowed  in  the  au^ 

1  of  1 793,  may  be  gathered  from  the  fubjoined  ftatenftent ; 

Moft  people  who  could  by  any  means  make  it  convenient,  fled 
I  the  chy.  Of  thofe  who  remained,  many  fliut  themfelves  up 
ieur  houfes,  and  were  afraid  to  walk  the  ftreets.  The  fraokc  of 
ceo  being  regarded  q§  a  preventative,  many  perfon^,  even  wo«» 
ojuIJL  3 1  mcA 


426  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

men  and  fmall  boys,  had  fegars  conftantly  in  their  mouths.    Others 
placing  full  confidence  in  garlic,  chewed  it  almoft  the  whole  day ; 
fome  kept  it  id  their  (hoes.     Many  were  afraid  to  allow  the  barber*- 
or  hair-dreffers  to  come  near  them,  .as  inftances  had  occurred  rf 
fome  of  them  having  ihaved  the  dead,  and  many  of  them  had  en« 
gaged  as  bleeders.      Some  who  carried  their  caution  pretty  far, 
bought  lancets  for  themfelves,  not  daring  to  be  bled  with  the  lancet* 
of  the  bleeders.     Some,  houfes  were  hardly  a  moment  in  the  day  free 
from  the  fniell  of  gunpowder,   burned  tobacco,   nitre,    fpfinkled 
vinegar,  &c.     Many  of  the  churches  were  almoft  deferted,  and  fome 
wholly  clofed.     The  coffee^houfe  was  Ihut  up,  as  was  the  city  li- 
brary, and  mo(l  of  the  public  offices  ;  three  out  of  the  four  daily 
papers  were  dropped,  as  were  fome  of  the  other  papers.     Many  were 
almoft  inceffantly  purifying,  fcouring  and  whitevva&ing  their  rooms. 
Thofe  who  ventured  abroad,  had  handkerchiefs  or  fponges  impreg- 
nated with  vinegar  or  camphor  at  their  nofes,  or  elfe  fmeliing-botdes 
with  the  thieves'  vinegar.     Others  carried  pieces  of  tarred  rope  in 
their  hands  or  pockets,  or  camphor  bags  tied  round  their  necks. 
The  corpfes  of  the  moft  refpedtable  citizens,  even  thofe  who  did 
sini  die  of  the  cpideiuic,  were  carried  to  the  grave  on  the  fhafts  of  a 
chair,  the  horfe  driven  by  a  negro,  unattended  by  a  friend  or  re- 
lation, and  without  any  fort  of  ceremony.'   People  haftily  ihifted 
their  courfe  at  the  light  oi  a  hearfe  coming  towards  them.     Many 
never  walked  on  the  foot  path,  but  went  into  the  middle  of  the 
ilreets,  to  avoid  being  infcd^ed  in  paffing  by  houfes  wherein  people 
had  died.     Acquaintances  and  friends  avoided  each  other  in  t& 
flreets,  and  only  Hgnified  their  regard  by  a  cold  nod.     The  old 
cuflom  of  fliaking  hands  fell  into  fuch  general  difufe,  that  many   , 
were  affronted  even  at  the  offer  of  the  hand*    A  perfon  with  a  crape 
or  any  appearance  of  mourning,  was  iliunned  like  a  viper.^  And  many 
valued  themfelves  highly  on  the  ikill  and  addrefs  with  which  they  got 
to  windward  of  every  perfon  they  met.     Indeed  it  is  not  probable 
tliat  London,   at  the  lad  flage  of  the  plague,   exhibited  (Ironger 
marks  of  terror  than  were  to  be  fcen  in  Philadelphia,  from  the  25th. 
or  26th  of  Auguft  till  pretty  late  in  September.    When  people  fum- 
moned  up  rcfolution  to  walk  abroad  and  take/ the  air,  the  fick-cart 
<sonveying  patients  to  the  hofpital,  or  the  hearfe  carrying  the  dead 
to  the  grave,   which  were  travelling  almoft  the  whole  day,  fooa 
damped  their  fpirits^  and  plunged  them  again  into  deipoodency.** 

4  How 


OF   PENNSYLYAHIA.  4*7 

w  entirely  ibciety  was  dlflolvied,  ani  ail  the  charities  and  ac-^ 
lodations  of  life  fufpended,   the  following  circumilances  will 

With  the  poor  the  cafe  was,  as  might  be  expected,  infinitely 

'  than  with  the  rich.     Many  of  thefe  have  pcriflied,  without  a 

xi  being  to  hand  them  a  drink  of  water,  to  adnainifler  medi- 

,  or  to  perform  any  charitable  office  for  .them.     Various  in* 

js  have  occurred,  of  dead  bodies  found  lying  in  the  lireets,  of 

16  who  had  nor  houfe  or  habitation,   and  could  procure  no 

r. 

\  man  and  his  wife,  once  in  affluent  circumfiances,  were  found 

dead  in  bed,  and  between  them  was  their  child,  a  little  infant, 

x^as  fucking  its  mother's  breads.    How  long  they  had  lain  thus 

ncertain. 

i  woman,  whofe  huiband  had  juft  died  of  a  fever,  was  feized 

he  pains  of  labour,  and  had  nobody  to  afM  her,  as  the  womea 

:  neighbourhood  were  afraid  to  go  into  the  houfe.     She  lay  for 

(iderable  time  in  a  degree  of  anguifli  that  vnW  not  bear  defcrip* 

at  length  ihe  ftruggled  to  reach  the  window,  and  cried  out 
[iftance  :  two  men.  paffing  by,  went  up  flairs,  but  they  carric 
late  a  flage  ;  (he  was  ftriving  with  death,  ,and  z^miiy  in  a  few 
es  expired  in  their  arms. 

Lnother  woman,  whofe  hufband  and  two  children  lay  dead  in 
om  with  her,  was  in  the  fame  Situation  as  the  former,  without 
wife,  or  any  other  perfon  to  aid  her.'  Her  cries  at  the  window 
ht  up  one  of  the  carters  employed  by  the  committee  for  the  i  e» 
F  the  fick.  With  his  aiHflance  fhe  was  delivered  of  a  child| 
died  in  a  few  itiinutes,  as  did  the  mother,  who  was  latterly  ex- 
d  by  her  labour,  by  the  diforder,  and  by  the  drcadt'ul  fpe£taclc 
;  her.  And  thus  lay  \r  one  room  no  lefs  than  five  dead  bodies, 
tire  family,  carried  off  in  an  hour  or  two.  Many  inftances 
Dccurred  of  refpedable  women,  who,  in  their  lying-in,  have 
obliged  to  depend  on  their  maid  fervants  for  affiflance ;  and 
lave  had  none  but  from  their  huibands.  Some  of  the  midwivet 
lead,  and  others  had  left  the  city. 

fervant  girl  belonging  to  a  family  in  this  city,  in  which  .the 
had  prevailed,  was  apprehenfive  of  danger,  and  refolved  to  rc- 
to  a  relation's  houfe  in  the  courrtry  ;  (lie  was,  however,  taken 
I  the  road,  and  returned  to  town,  where  (lie  could  find  no  per* 

receive  her.    One  of  the  guardians  of  the  poor  provided  a 

3  1*  cart^ 


4-1$  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

cart,  and  took  her  to  the  alms-houfe,  into  which  (he  was  refufed  id« 
mittance.  She  was  brought  back,  and  the  guardian  oflfered  fivedd* 
lars  tp  procure  her  a  fingle  night's  lodging,  but  in  vain.  And  in 
Ane,  after  every  effort  made  to  provide  her  ihelter,  (he  abfolutcly 
expired  in  the  cart* 

*^  To  relate  all  the  frightful  cafes  of  this  nature  that  occurred 
would  fill  a  volume. 

**  The  public  diftrefs  was  condderably  increafed  by  the  abfence  of 
the  prefid^nty  and  of  moft,  if  not  all,  of  the  other  federal  officen: 
the  governor  too,  and  almoft  all  the  officers  of  (late,  were  abfentoc 
had  retired  t  except  the  mayor  and  one  other  magiflrate,  the  muni« 
cipal  officers  llkewife  were  away  :  fo  that,  when  the  city  moft  needed 
counfellors,  fhe  was  moft  defluute  of  counfel.  The  firft  victim,  as 
far  as  is  known,  \vas  feized  by  the  diforder  on  the26th  or  ^ythof 
July,  and  died  on  the  6th  or  7th  of  AuguH;.  The  difeafe  fprcad 
during  Auguft ;  and  the  alarm  increafed  to  fuch  a  degree,  that  9a 
the  loth  of  September  the  Mayor  called  a  meeting  of  the  citizens, 
at  which  very  few  attended,  though  ten  citizens  offered  themfelvcs 
as  afiiflants  to  the  guardians  of  the  poor.  On  the  14th,  a  committee 
was  appointed  to  tranfadt  the  whole  of  thq  bufinefs  relative  to  the 
fick,  to  procure  phyficians,  nurfes  and  attendants.  It  confif^ed  of 
twenty-fix  perfons  :  but,  by  the  death  of  four,  and  by  the  defertioo 
of  four  others,  it  was  reduced  to  eighteen.  Thefe  eighteen,  men 
chiefly  in  the  middle  walks  of  life,  from  the  day  of  their  appoint' 
xnent  till  the  celTation  of  the  fever,  watched  over  the  fick,  the  poor, 
the  widow  and  the  orphan,  with  fuch  vigilance  as  to  check  the  pro- 
grefs  of  deilru6tion,  eminently  to  relieve  the  diftrefTed,  and  to  refton 
confidence  to  the  terrified  inhabitants  of  Philadelphia," 

Of  the  operations  of  this  committee,  an  inftrudtive  account  is  given 
by  our  author,  which  we  cannot  detail.  They  confifted  principally  ia 
meafures  for  the  burial  of  the  dead,  in.the  removal  of  the  fick  to  the  hof* 
pital  at  Bufh-hill,  and  in  borrowing  money  from  the  bank  of  Norih* 
America  to  relieve  the  diftrefl'ed ;  of  whom  there  occurred  weekly 
twelve  hundred  people,  many  of  them  having  f.imiiies  of  four,  fivc^  an(| 
fix  perfons.  The  numerous  deaths  of  heads  of  families  lefr  a  very  large 
body  of  children,  for  whom  it  was  nec^fiary  to  provide  ;  and  hence 
the  committee  ibund  themfelves  obliged  to  eftabliih  an  orphan 
houfe ;  nor  were  their'  labours  cloftd  till  they  had  provided  for  the 
cleanfipg  and  purification  of  the  houfes  in  which  the  fever  had  pre* 
vailed.  It  was  not  till  the  14th  of  November  that  they  finally  ^A^ 
jlr^/^d  tbeir  felloYr-c\U?ivi^.»  mfeiva^^^th^tiv  qf  th^  reftpriition  of  the 


OF    PENNSYLVANIA*  429 

city  to  aa  great  a  degree  of  health  as  ufually  had  prevailed  at  the  lame 

Xeafon. 

X>n  Carey  bellows  great  and  merited  praife  on  Mr.  Stephen  Gerrard^ 

m  wealthy  merchant,  and  a  sative  of  France,  who,  with  a  ipirit  truly 

benevolent  and  magnanimous,  offered  to  fuperintend  the  hofpital  at 
Bufh-hill.    To  the  energetic  philanthropy,  and  perfeveriog  exertions 
of  this  exalted  charai6ter,  and  his  voluntary  aUbciates,  is  to  be  attri- 
buted the  ultimate  eradication  of  this  dreadful  contagion  from  the  city* 
•They  found  the  hofpital  in  the  moil  wretched  and  deplorable  ftate, 
l>ut,  thro'  their  united  efforts,  the  greateft  order  was  foon  introduced. 
In  this  hofpital,  before  Sept.  16th,  ''  a  profligate,  abandoned  fet  of 
nurfcs  and  attendants  (hardly  any  of  good  character  could  at  that 
time  be  procured)  rioted  on  the    provifions  and  comforts^    pre-* 
p^ed  for  the  fick,   who,    unlefs  at  the  hours   when  the  dodton 
attended,   were   left  almofl  entirely  deflitute  of  every  affiilance. 
The  dying    and    dead    were  indifcriminately    mingled   together* 
The  evacuations  of  the  iick  were  allowed  to  remain  in  the  moft 
offenfive  ilate    imaginable  ;     not   the   fmalleil  appearance  of  oD' 
der  or  regularity  exiiled.    It  was,  in  fafl,  a  great  human  {laughter* 
houfe,  where  numerous  vidtims  were  immolated  at  the  altar  of  riot 
and  intemperance.    No  wonder,  then,  that  a  general  dread  of  the 
place  prevailed  through  the  city,  and  that  a  removal  to  it  was  confi^^ 
dered  as  the  feal  of  death.     In  confcquence,  there  were  various  in- 
ilances  of  iick  perfons  locking  their  rooms,  and  reiiiling  every  at- 
tempt to  carry  them  away.  At  length,  the  poor  were  fo  much  afraid  of 

'    being  fent  to  Bufli-hill,  that  they  would  not  acknowledge  their  iUnefs, 
^util  it  was  no  longer  poUible  to  conceal  it.** 

Such,  however,  was  the  regularity  introduced  by  the  managers; 
and  fuch  was  the  care  and  tendernefs  with  which  they  treated  the  pa- 
tients, and  which  they  obliged  the  attendants  to  obferve,  that,  in  a 
week  or  two,  the  application  tor  admillion  became  importunate  ^ 
and  it  was  neceffary,  by  requiring  a  certificate  from  a  pbyiician^ 
fpccifying  that  the  bearer  laboured  under  the  fever,  to  guard  againft 
improper  objefts.  Of  the  number  uf  patients  received,  about  five 
hundred  died  (one  third  of  the  whole)  within  two  days  after  their 
admiflion. 

At  the  end  of  his  account  of  the  Bufli-hill  hofpital,  Dr.  Carey 
adds  the  following  obiervatlon  concerning  its  adive  and  b<uieficent 
managers,  which  wc  feel  a  pleafure  in  infertirig: 

*^  Before  I  conclude  this  chapter,  let  mc  add,  that  the  perfeverancc 
9f  (be  wanagers  of  that  hofpital  h^  been  equally  meritorious  with 


43^  GENERAL   DESCRIPTION 

their  original  beneficence.  During  the  whole  calamity  to  this  time 
they  have  attended  uninterruptedly,  for  fix^  feven,  or  eight  hours  a 
day*  renouncing  almoll  every  care  of  private  affairs.  They  have 
lud  a  laborious  tour  of  duty  to  perform — to  encourage  and  comfbit 
the  (ick-<-^o  hand  them  neceflaries  and  medicines — to  wi]>e  the  fweat 
off  their  brow8-*-and  to  perform  many  difgufting  offices  of  kindnefs  for 
them,  which  nothing  could  rrtider  tolerable,  but  the  exalted  mo« 
fives  that  impelled  them  to  this  heroic  condu^.^ 

This  difeafe  pro^-ed  particularly  fatal  to  phyficians  and  to  the 
clergy,  in  confequenee  of  its  contagious  nature.  Of  the  profligate, 
and  of  the  corpulent,  few  are  faid  to  have  recovcitd.  The  French, 
who  w«re  fettled  in  Philadelphia,  efcaped  its  ravages  in  a  remarkable 
manner.  The  negroes  did  not  totally  efcape,  though  not  many  were 
ieized  with  the  fever  ;  and  in  thefe  it  is  faid  to  have  yielded  more 
caiiiy  to  medicine  than  in  the  whites.  Au  opinion  prevailed  that 
cold  and  rain  extinguifhed  the  diforder,  but  this  is  fliewn  by  the 
prefent  writer,  from  a  ilatement  of  the  weather,  to  have  been 
erroneous.  A  fimilar  error  concerning  the  plague  and  other 
contagious  difeafes  has  been  current  in  moft  countries  among  the 
uninformed. 

Among  the  dtfuUory  fn^s  snd  refleHiMs,  with  which  Dr.  Carcy^St 
work  abounds,  fonne  appear  worthy  of  the  notice  of  Europeao 
fcaders.  The  late  dreadful  fuffcrings — ^the  lofs  of  four  thou- 
fand  lives— ^the  terror  and  uncomfortable  i^ate  of  the  red — the 
injury  fuftaincd  by  the  commercial  intereft  of  the  ibte — might 
all  have  beep  prevented,  if  the  magiftrates  had  been  invefted 
with  authority  to  intei-pofe  in  time,  and  if  thty  had  exerted  that  au- 
thority  properly. 

*'  For  a  whole  month,  the  difeafe  lurked  in  one  ftreet,  and  was  con- 
fined to  a  h\v  houfcs  in  that  flreet.  Who  can  doubt  that  it  might 
calily  have  been  ftifled  in  its  birth  ?"  but  then,  is  Mr.  Carey  certain 
that  the  physicians  and  magiflrates  were  apprized  of  the  deleterious 
aatiue  of  the  contagion  ?  It  might  probably,  for  fomc  time,  have 
been  confounded  with  an  ordinary  epidemic ;  and  ftatefmen  have  not 
yet  condefcended  to  frame  regulations  for  checking  the  ravages  that 
common  contagious  fevers  produce  ;  though  the  defign  is  important, 
and,  as  we  believe,  pradlicable^ — The  aflertion  (p.  85)  **  that  half 
or  a  third  of  thofe  who  died  (one  thoufand  four  hundred,  or  two 
thoufand  perfons)  periHied  for  want  of  the  necelTary  care  and  atten- 
tion,  .owing  to  the  extraordinary  panic,"  muft  fill  every  breafl,  in 
irhkb  common  fya>p;\lby  for  Vx^iCQ^tk  (uSbringB  refidet^  with  iodig- 


OP    PENNSYLVANIA.  ^^t 

^ant  grief,  and  many  at  Philadelphia  with  the  moft  lively  regret. 
The  tics  of  blood  and  of  affedion  appear  indeed  to  have  been  torn 
afunder  by  fear,  with  a  degree  of  violence  which  is  inconceivable  to 
a  ipe^tor  of  the  ufual  afpe^  of  focial  life. 

The  following  occurs  (p.  107)  among  his  detached  obfervations : 
^*  Shall  I  be  pardoned  for  paffing  a  cenfure  on  thofe,  whofe  mi(^ 
taken  zeal  led  them,  during  the  moft  dreadful  ftages  of  the  calamity, 
to  crowd  fome  of  our  churches,  and  aid  this  frightful  enemy  in  his 
work  of  dedrudtion  ?  who,  fearful  left  their  prayers  and  adoration  at 
honc.e  would  not  find  .-Kceptance  before  the  Deity,  reforted  to 
churches  filled  with  bodies  of  contagious  air,  where,  with  every 
breath,  they  inhaled  noxious  miafmata  ?  To  this  fingle  caufe  I  am 
bold  in  afcfibing  a  large  proportion  of  the  mortality ;  and  it  is  remark- 
able that  thofe  congregations,  whofe  places  of  worfhip  were  moft 
crowded,  have  fuffercd  the  moft  dreadfully.  Will  men  never  acquire 
wifdom  ?  Arc  we  yet  to  learn,  that  the  Almight)-  Architc^  of  the 
-  heavens  and  the  earth  does  not  require  *^  temples  made  with  men's 
hands?*'  that  going  to  a  place  of  worftilp,  again  ft  the  great  law  of 
ielf-prefcrvation,  implanted  in  indelible  characters  by  his  Divine 
band,  on  the  brcaft  of  every  one  of  his  creatures,  conftitutcs  no  part 
of  the  adoration  due  to  the  Maker  and  Preferver  of  mankind  ?  That 
«  a  meek  and  humble  heart*  is  the  temple  wherein  he  delights  to  be 
worihipped  ?  1  hope  not — I  hope  the  awful  leflbn  fome  of  our  con- 
gregations hold  forth  on  this  fubje£t,  by  a  mortality  out  of  all  pro- 
portion to  their  numbers,  will  fervc  as  a  memento  at  all  future  times 
in  the  like  critical  emergencies !" 

To  this  account  we  fubjoin  the  following  lift  of  the  number  of 
|>erfons  who  fell  a  prey  to  this  dcftrufllve  malady : 

**  Auguft 32J 

■  ^^  September 144^ 

**  O^ober         •     •     •     • 1993 

"  November     .     .     •     ..     •     •     •     •       118 

**  Jews,  returned  in  grofs •     •        .  » 

**  Baptifts,  ditto jo 

**  Methodifts,  ditto  . 3* 

**  Free  Quakers,  ditto     •     • •         39 

**  German  part  of  St.  Mary's  congregation       •     •         30 

Total    403 1  ♦ 

^  S4t  Cahzy's  Sh9rt  iiiicUfU  of  tkt  Mkl.'itumi  Fe^tr,  t^u  8vo.  3d  ed^t; 


42^  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION' 

No  city  can  boaft  of  fo  many  ufeful  improvements  in  manufa^hires^ 
in  the  mechanical  arts,  in  the  art  of  healing,  and  particularly  in  the 
icience  of  humanity,  as  Philadelphia.  The  tradefmen  and  tnanufac* 
turers  have  become  fo  numerous,  that  they  are  beginning  to  alTo- 
ciate  for  mutual  improvement,  and  to  promote  regularity  and  uni- 
formity in  their  feveral  occupations.  The  carpenters,  the  cord- 
vainers^  the  taylors,  the  watch-makers,  the  joiners,  and  hair-dref- 
icrs,  have  alrea^ly  aflbciated,  and  others  are  forming  into  companies 
upon  the  fame  plan. 

The  Philadelphians  have-  exerted  their  endeavours  with  happy 
and  growing  fuccefe,  to  prevent  the  intemperate  ufe  of  fpiritiious  li- 
quors. In  accomplifhing  this  benevolent  purpofe,  on  wtiich  fo  much 
of  the  profperity  and  glory  of  their  empire  depends,  every  good  citizen 
in  the  Union  ought  cheerfully  to  lend  his  aid  and  influence.  As  one 
important  flep  towards  efFeding  their  defign,  they  are  encouraging 
breweries,  which  are  faft  increafing.  There  are  fourteen  already  in 
the  city,  and  feven  or  eight  in  the  country.  The  increafe  of  the  con- 
fi^mptbn  of  beer,  in  the  courfe  of  a  few  years,  paft,  in  every  part  of 
America,  and  particularly  in  Pennfylvania,  has  been  adonidiing.  It. 
has  become  a  fafliionable  drink,  and  it  is  not  improbable^  but  that 
]n  a  few. years  it  will  come  into  univcrfal  ufe  among  all  claiTes  of 
people.  1x1  proportion  as  the  ufe  of  beer  increafes,  in  the  fame  pro- 
portion will  the  ufe  of  fpirituous  liquors  decreafe..  This  will 
be  a  happy  change.  The  Philadelphia  porter,  which  is  exported 
to  various  partSj  is  reckoned  equal  to  that  which  is  manufa^ured  in 
London. 

In  fliort,   whether  we  confider  the  local  fituation,  the  fize^  the 
beauty,  the  variety  and  utility  of  the  improvements  in  mechanics,'    1 
agriculture,  and  manufadtures,  or  the  indjuftry,  the  enterprize,  the    } 
humanity;  and  th«  abilities  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  city  of  Phi- 
ladelphia, it  merits  to  be  viewed  as  the  capital  of  the  flouriOiing  em- 
pire of  United  America.       ...  ,     • 

LANCASTER. 

The  borough  of  Lancafter  is  the  largell  inland  town  in  the  United 
States.  It  is  the  feat  of  juftice  in  Lancafter  county,  aad  flanks  on 
Conaftoga  creek,  fixty-fix  miles,  a  little  to  the  north,  of  the  weft 
from  Philadelphia.  Its  trade  is  already  large,  and  muft  increafe  ia 
proportion  as  the  furrounding  country  populates.  It  contains  about  ' 
ieven  •r  eight  hundred  houfes,  beftdes  a  oaoft  elegant  court  houfe» 

a,nunH 


OF    PENNSYLVANIA*  433 

a  number  of  handfome  churches, "  and  other  public  buildings,  and 
about  five  thcmfand  inhabitants,  a  great  proportion  of  whom  are 
manufatfturers.- 

CAR  LISLE. 

Carlifle  is  the  feat  of  juftice  in  Cumberland  county,  and  is  one 
hundred  and  twenty  miles  weftward  of  Philadelphia.  It  contains  up« 
wards  of  (ixteen  hundred  inhabitants,  who  live  in  more  than  three 
hundred  ftone  houfes,  and  worfliip  in  three  churches.  They 
have  alfo  a  court  houfe  and  a  college.  Forty  years  ago,  this  fpot 
was  a  wildernefs,  and  inhabited  by  Indians  and  wild  beafts.  A 
like  inflance  of  the  rapid  progrefs  of  the  arts  of  civilized  life  is 
fcarcely  to  be  found  in  hiftory. 

PITTSBURGH, 

•'On  the  wcftern  fide  of  the  Allegany  mountains,  three  hundred 
arid  twenty  miles  weftward  of  Philadelphia,  is  beautifully  fituated  on 
a  large  plain,  which  is  the  point  of  land  between  the  Allegany  and 
Monongahela  river,  and  about .  a  quarter  of  a  mile  above  their  con- 
fliience,  in  latitude  40®  26'  north.  It  contains  about  two  hundred 
hiiifes,  ftores,  and  fhops,  and  about  a  thoufand  inhabitants,  who 
are  chiefly  Frefbyterians  and  Epifcopalians.  The  furrounding 
country  is  very  hilly,  but  good  land,  and  well  ftored  with  excellent 
coal.  The  rivers  abound  with  fine  filh,  fuch  as  pike,  perch,  and 
cat  fifh,  which  are  all  much  larger  than  the  fame  fpecies  on  the  eaftern. 
fide  of  the  mountains. 

This  town  is  laid  out  on  Penn's  plan,  and  is  a  thoroughfare  for 
travellers  from  the  Eaftern  and  Mid(Jk  States,  to  the  fettlement  on 
the  Ohio. 

SUNBURY, 

The  fhire  town  of  Northumberland  county,  is  fituated  on  the  eaft  * 
fide  of  Sufquehannah  river,  jiift  below  the  junction  of  the  eaft  and 
weft  branches,    in  about  latitude  40^  53',  and  about  one  hundred 
and   twenty    miles    north-weft    from    Philadelphia,    and    contains 
about  one  hundred  houfes. 

BETHLEHEM. 

'Bethlehem  is  fituated  on  the  river  Lehigh,  a  weftern  branch  of 
the  Delaware,  fifty-three  miles  north  of  Philadelphia,  in  latitude 
46®  37'.  The  town  being  built  partly  on  high  rifing  ground,  and 
partly  on  the  lower  banks  of  the  Manakes,  a  fine  creek,  .which  af- 
fords trout  and  other  fifii,  has  a  very  pleafant  and  healthy  fituation, ' 

VouIL  3K  anil 


434  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION  ■ 

and  is  frequently  vifited  in  thefummcr  feafon  by  gentry  from  different  ■  m^ 
parts.  The  i^  ofpccl  is  not  cxtenfive,  being  bounded  very  near byi  M  r^^ 
chain  of  the  Lchieh  hills.  To  the  northward  is  a  tra^l  of  landcaW  ■  ,  ,,  , 
the  dry  lands.  ■  ^^^^  ^ 

In  the  year  1787,  the  number  of  inhabitants  amounted  to  between  ■u..^|^. 
five  and  fix  hundred,  and  the  houfes  were  about  fixty  in  number,  ■  ^^J^^  .^ 
moftly  good  flrong  buildings  of  lime-flone.  The  town  has  fin»  I  ^^^^^ 
confiderably  increafed,  and  the  number  of  inhabitants  atprefentJK  1^^^.^^,^. 
about  one  thoufand.  u  ^,  ^v 

Befides  the  church  or  public  meeting-hall,  there  are  three  top  ■(;,,^ar 
fpacious  buildings,  &c.  Miiu 

1.  The  (ingle  brethren's  or  young  men's  houfe,  facing  the  matt  ■  ^^ 
flreet  or  public  road.  Here  the  grcateft  part  of  the  fingle  tradim^^e' 
men,  journeymen,  and  apprentices  of  the  town  are  boarded  at  a  ffiO*  ■  ^-^^ 
derate  rate,  under  the  inlpecftion  of  an  elder  and  warden,  and  havCfH 
befides  the  public  meetings,  their  houfe  for  devotions,  and  naominlW 
and  evening  prayers.  Different  trades  are  carried  on  in  the  houfe  fot  ■ 
the  benefit  of  the  fame.  I 

2.  The  fingle  fiflers,  or  young  women's  houfe,  where  they  live  I 
under  the  care  of  female  infpedors.  Such  as  are  not  employed  in  1 
private  families,  earn  their  bread  moftly  by  fpinning,  fewing,  fine  I 
needle-work,  knitting,  and  other  female  occupations.  I 

Though  this  houfe  has  its  particular  regulations  to  preferve  order 
and  decorum,  and  may  perhaps  bear  fome  refemblance  to  a  nunnery, 
being  fometimes  improperly  fo  called,  yet  the  plan  is  very  different! 
The  ladies  are  at  liberty  to  go  about  their  bufinefs  in  the  town, 
or  to  take  a  walk  for  recreation  ;  and  fomc  are  employed  in  pri- 
vate families,  or  live  with  their  parents  ;  neither  are  they  bound  to  , 
remain  fingle,  for  every  year  a  number  of  them  enter  into  tbe  n«tf« 

ried  ftate. 

As  to  their  almofl  uniform  drcfs,  the  women  in  general,  for  the 
fake  of  avoiding  extravagance,  and  the  follies  of  fafliion,  have  hitherto 
kept  to  a  particular  iimple  drefs,  introduced  among  them  by  the 
Germans  many  years  ago. 

5.  The  houfe  for  the  widow  women ;  where  fuch  as  have  not  a 
houfe  of  their  own,  or  means  to  have  their  own  houfe  furnifhedi 
live  nearly  in  the  fame  way  as  do  the  (ingle  lifters.  Such  as  arepooTi 
infirm,  and  fuperannuated,  are  aflifted  of  maintained  by  the  congre- 
gation, as  is  the  cafe  with  other  members  of  the  ianie  that  are  notable 
to  obtain  fubfiflence  for  themfelves, 

Thcro 


OF    PENNSYLVANIA.  435 

There  is,  befideSy  an  inftitution  of  a  fociety  of  married  men,  be« 
g\in  fincc  the  year  1770,  for  the  fupport  of  their  widows.  A  confi- 
derable  fund  or  principa]  has  been  raifed  by  them,  the  intereft  of 
which,  as  well  as  the  yearly  contributions  of  the  members,  is  regu- 
larly divided  among  the  widows  whofe  hulbands  have  been  members 
of  the  inftitution. 

In  the  hoiife  adjoining  the  church  is  the  fchool  for  girls ;  and  fince 
the  year  1787,  a  boarding  fchool  for  young  ladies  from  different 
parts,  who  are  in{lru6ted  in  reading  and  writing,  both  finglifh  and 
German,  grammar,  arithmetic,  hiftory,  geography,  needle-work, 
xnufic,  &c. 

The  minifter  of  the  place  has  the  fpecial  care  and  infpeftion  of  this 
as  well  as  of  the  boys  fchooj,  which  is  kept  in  a  feparate  houfe,  fitted 
to  that  purpofe,  and  are  taught  reading  and  writing  in-  both  lan- 
guages, the  rudiments  of  the  Latin  tongue,  arithmetic,  &c.  Thefe 
fchools,  efpecially  that  for  the  young  ladies,  are  defei'vedly  in  very 
high  repute,  and  fcholars,  more  than  can  be  accommodated,  are  of- 
fered from  all  parts  of  the  United  States, 

Befides  the  different  houfes  for  private  tradefmen,  mechanics,  and 
others,  there  is  a  public  tavern  at  the  north  end  of  the  town,  with 
good  accommodations  ;  alfo  a  flore,  with  a  general  aiTortment  of 
goods ;  an  apothecary's  (liop  ;  a  large  farm  yard  ;  and  on  the  lower 
part,  on  Manakes  creek,  is  a  large  tan  yard,  a  currier's  and  dyer's 
fliop,  a  grifl  mill, .  fulling  mill,  oil  mill  and  faw  mill ;  and  on  tl\e 
banks  of  the  Lehigh,  is  a  brewery. 

The  town  is  fupplied  with  good  water  from  a  fpring,  i^iiich  being 
in  the  lower  part  of  the  town,  is  raifed  up  the  hill  by  a  machine  of  a 
very  limple  conftrudion,  to  the  height  of  upwards  of  one  hundred 
feet,  into  a  refervoir,  whence  it  is  conduded  by  pipes  into  the  fc« 
vcral  llreets  and  public  buildings  of  the  town. 

The  ferry  acrofs  the  river  is  of  fuch  particular  Gontrivancc,7that  a 
flat,  large  enough  to  carry  a  team  of  fix  horfes,  runs  on  a  ftrong  rope 
fixed  and  flretched  acrofs;  and,  by  the  mere  force  of  the  ftream^ 
without  any  other  afliftance,  croifes  the  river  backwards  and  forwards  ; 
the  fl^t  always  being  put  in  an  oblique  direction,  with  its  foremoft 
end  verging  towards  the  line  defcribed  by  the  rope. 

The  greater  part  of  the  inhabitants,  as  well  as  the  people  in  the 
neighbourhood,  being  of  German  extraction,  this  language  is  more 
in  ufe  than  the  Engliih.  The  latter,  however,  is  taught  ixi  the 
ic^oolsi  and  divine  fervice  is  performed  in  both  laaguages. 

3  K  «  KAZAKSTH* 


43^ 


GENEHAL    DESCRIPTION 


NAZARETH. 


k;Dt 


Nazareth  is  ten  miles  north  from  Bethlehem,  and  fixty-three  noift  ] 
from  Philadelphia  ;  it  is  a  tra£t  of  good  land,  containing  about  five 
thoufand  acres,  purchafed  originally  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  George  Wlut- 
field  in  1740,  and  Ibid  two  years  after  to  the  brechren.    Tht.tewn 
was  laid  out  almoll  in  the  center  of  this  trad  in  1772:    Two  ftrects 
crofs  each  other  at  right  angles,  and  form  a  fqiiare  in  the  middle,  of 
three  hundred  and  forty,  by  two  hundred  feet.     The  large  ft  build* 
ing  is  a  ftone  houle,  erccled  in  1755,  named  Nazareth  hall,  nine^* 
eight  by  forty- fix  long,  and  fifty-four  in  height.     In  the  lowermoll 
ilory  is  a  fpacious  meeting  hall,  or  church  ;  the  upper  part  of  the 
houfe  is  chiefly  fitted  for  a  boarding-fchool,  where  youth,  from  dif- 
ferent parts,  are  under  the  care  and  infpe6lion  of  the  minifter  of  the 
place  and  ftveral  tutors,  and  are  inftru6ted  in  the  Englifh,  German, 
Latin,  and  French  languages  5  in.hiftory,  geography,  book-keeping, 
mathematics,  mufic,  drawing,  and  other  fciences.      The  front  of 
the  houfe  faces  a  large  fquare  open  to  the  fouth,  adjoining  a  fine 
piece  of  ineadow  ground,  and   commands  a  molt  beautiful  and  ex- 
lenlivc  profpecl.     Another  elegant  building  on  the  eaft  fide  of  Na- 
zareth hall  is  inhabited  by  fingle  lifters,  who  have  the  fame  regula- 
tions and  way  of  living  as  thofe  in  Bethlehem.     Befides  their  prin- 
cipal manufa(ftory  for  fpinning  and  twifting  cotton,  thty  have  lately 
begun  to  draw  wax*  tapers. 

At  the  fouth-weft  corner  of  the  aforefaid  fquare,  in  the  middle  of 
the  town,  is  the  fmgle  brethren's  houfe,  and  on  the  eaft-fouth-eaft 
corner  a  flore.  On  the  fouthernmoft  end  of  the  ftreet  is  a  good  ta- 
vern. The  houfes  are,  a  few  excepted,  built  of  lime  ftone,  one  or 
two  ftories  high,  inhabited  by  tradefmen  and  mechanics,  moftly  of 
German  extradtion.  The  inhabitants  are  fupplied  with  water  con- 
veyed to  them  by  pipes  from  a  fine  fpring  near  the  town.  The  place 
18  noted  for  having  an  exceedingly  pleafant  fituation,  and  enjoying  a 
pure  and  falubrious  air.  The  number  of  inhabitants  in  the  town  and 
farms  belonging  to  it,  Schoeneck  included,  conftituting  one  congre- 
gation, and  meeting  for  divine  fervice  on  Sundays  and  holidays  at 
Nazareth  hall,  was,  in  the  year  1788,  about  four  hundred  and  fift/i 
fince  which  time  they  are  confiderably  increafed, 

LITIZ. 

Litiz  is  in  Lancafter  county  and  Warwick  townftiip,  eight  mile* 
from  Lancafter,  and  feventy  miles  weft  from  Philadelphia.  This  fet* 

tlement 


.-.i^a 


OF    PENNSYLVANIA.  433f 

;njt  was  begun  in  the  year  1757.  There  are  now,  bcfides  an 
nt  church,  and  the  houfes  of  the  iingle  brethren  and  fingle 
s,  which  form  a  large  fquare,  a  number  of  houfes  for  private 
lies,  with  a  (lore  and  tavern,  all  in  one  ftreet.  There  is  alfo  a 
.  farm  and  feveral  mill  works  belonging  to  the  place.  The 
ber  of  inhabitants,  including  thofe  that  belong  to  Litiz  conerega* 
living  on  their  farms  in  iiie  neighbourhood,  amounted  in  1787^ 
pwards  of  three  hundred. 

he  three  lafl-mentioned  towns  are  fettled  chiefly  by  Moravians^ 
le  United  Brethren. 

HARRISBURGH. 

arrlfburgh,  as  it  is  commonly  called,  but  legally  filled  Louif* 
;h,  is  the  principal  town  in  Dauphin  county,  is  a  very  flourifh* 
)lace,  about  one  hundred  miles  wefl  by  north  from  Philadelphia* 
Diitained,  in  1789,  one  hundred  atid  thirty  dwelling  ho Cifes,  a 
:  gaol,  and  a  German  church.  At  that  period  it  had  been 
id  but  about  three  years, 

WASHINGTON, 

hree  hundred  miles  wefl  of  Philadelphia,  and  beyond  the  Ohib^ 
been  ettled  fmce  the  war,  and  is  remarkable  for  the  variety  of 
lanui'adlures  for  fo  young  and  interior  a  town ;  it  has  thirty-two 
ufadures  of  twenty-two  different  kinds. 

POPULATION. 

the  grand  convention  held  at  Philadelphia  in  1787,  the  inhabk 
in  this  State  were  reckoned  at  three  hundred  and  fixty  thoiifand. 
790,  according  to  thecenfus  then  taken,  they  were  four  hundred 
:hirty-four  thoufand  three  hundred  and  leventy-three,  b6ing  ati 
afe  of  feventy-four  thoufand  three  hundred  and  feventy-three,  or 
ly-four  thoufand  feven- hundred  and  ninety-one  per  ann.  Reck« 
g  only  on  the  fame  proportion  of  increafe,  the  prefent  number 
habitants  in  Pennfylvania  cannot  be  much  lefs  than  five  hundred 
fifty  thoufand.  The  number  of  militia  in  this  State  is  eftimated  at 
t  one  hundi-ed  thoufand,  between  eighteen  and  fifty-three  yeais 
§e. 

he  following  table  fhews  the  proportionate  population  of  each 
ty,  according  to  the  cenfus  of  1 790. 

PENN. 


438 


GENERAL    DESCRIPTIOM 


PENNSYLVANIA. 


Total  of  city  and  fiiburbs 
HemainderofPhiladtl-" 

phia  county   .    .    . 
Montgomery     .   .   . 

Bucks     

Delaware 

Chefier 

I^iicafter 


Be  lis 
Northampton  .  . 
Luzerne  .  .  .  . 
Dauphin  .  .  .  . 
Northumberland  . 

Mifflin 

Huntingdon  .  .  . 
Cumberland  .  .  . 
Bedftrd      .    .    .    . 

York  ..'.'.'.'. 

Weftmoreland  .  . 
Allegany  .  -  .  . 
Waihingion  .  .  ■ 
Faje.te 


1 1360 
3126 
600B 
*'57S 
74SS 
97'3 
7714 
600B 
.236 
4t'S7 
4191 
'9S4 
1S7: 


S»44 
53B3 


6595 
8070 

6410 


13883/420 

^9551  3^5 


^0838 
563: 
10984 
1203; 
449' 


13166 


3537 
8456 
63,6 
7171 
1767 
7483 
476 


M6|  6.54   4K 


'  RELIGION  AND  CHARACTER. 
The  Tituation  of  religion  and  religious  rights  and  liberty  in  P< 
Jylvania  is  a  matter  that  deferves  the  attention  of  all  fober  and  w 
difpofed  people,  who  may  have  thoughts  of  feekiog  th^enjoyni 
(»f  civil  and  religions  liberty  in  America,  This  State  always  affon 
an  afylum  to  the  perlecuted  fe&s  of  Europe.  No  church  or 
cicty  cvf r  yras  cflablilhcd  here,  no  tithes  or  tenths  can  be  demande 

a,  » 


OF    PENNSYLVANIA.  439 

1  though  fome  regulations  of  the  crown  of  England  excluded  two 
urcHes  from  a  lhare  in  the  government  of  the  province,  thefe  ate 
w  done  away  with  regard  to  every  religious  fociety  whatever.  A 
ivention  of  fpecial  rcprcfentatives  of  the  citizens  of  Pennfylvania 
ve  had  under  consideration  all  the  errors  that  had  inadvertently 
tpt  into  their  conftitution  and  frame  of  government,  and,  in  the 
:  they  have  pubhfiied  for  the  examination  of  the  people,  they 
/€  reje£ied  the  deteftahle  balf-iuay  dodrine  of  Toleration,  and  have 
ihlifbed^  upon  firm  and  perfectly  equal  ground,  all  denominations 
religious  men.  By  the  provifions  of  the  new  code,  a  Proteftant, 
^oman  Catholic,  and  a  Hebrew,  may  ele£t  or  be  ele6ted  to  any 
ice  in  the  State,  and  purfue  any  lawful  calling,  occupation,  or 
dfeflion. 

The  inhabitants  of  Pennfylvania  are  principally  the  defendants 
the  Engiifh,    Irifh  and  Germans,   with  fome   Scotch,  Welch, 

■ 

^cdes  and  a  few  Dutch.  There  are  alfo  many  of  the  Irifh  and 
crraans  who  emigrated  when  young  or  middle-aged.  The  Friends 
id  Epifcopalians  are  chiefly  of  Engiifh  extra<^ion,  and  compofe 
)out  one-third  of  the  inhabitants.  They  live  principally  in  the 
ij  of  Philadelphia,  and  in  the  counties  of  Chefler,  Philadelphia^ 
icks  and  Montgomery.  The  Irifli  are  moflly  Prefbyterians,  but 
me  Catholics.  Their  anceflors  came  from  the  north  of  Ireland, 
tiich  was  originally  fettled  from  Scotland ;  hence  they  have  fome- 
nes  been  called  Scotch  Irifh,  to  denote  their  double  defcent ;  but 
cy  are  commonly  and  more  properly  called  Irifh,  or  the  defcend- 
Its  of  people  froin  the  north  of  Ireland.  They  inhabit  the  weflera 
id  frontier  counties,  and  are  numerous. 

The  Germans  compofe  about  one  quarter  of  the  inhabitants  of 
*nnfylvania.  They  are  mofl  numerous  in  the  north  parts  of  the 
y  of  Philadelphia,  and  the  counties  of  Philadelphia,  Montgomery^ 
icks,  Dauphin,  Lancafler,  York,  and  Northampton,  moflly  in 
e  four  lafl,  and  are  fpreading  in  other  parts.  They  confift  of  Lu* 
erans  (who  are  the  mofl  numerous  fe6l;  Calvinifls  qi^  Reformed 
hurch,  Moravians,  Catholics,  Mennonifls,  Tunkers  (corruptly 
tiled  Dunkers)  and  Zwingfeltere,  who  are  a  fpecies  of  Quakers* 
'hefe  are  all  diflinguifl^ed  for  their  temperance,  induflry^  and 
:onomy. 

The  Germans  have  ufually  fifteen  of  fixty-nine  members  in  the 
JTembly;  and  fome  of  them  have  arifen  to  the  firfl  honours  in  the 
ate»  and  now  fill  a  number  of  the  higher  offices ;  y«t  the  body  of 

th^m 


44^^  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

them  want  education.    A  literary  fpfrit  has  however  of  ktc  been  in- 
creaiing  among  them. 

The  Baptifts,  except  the  Mcnnonift  and  Tunker  Baptifh,  who 
arc  Germans,  are  chiefly  the  defcendants  of  emigrants  from 
Wales,  and  are  not  numerous.  A  proportionate  ademblage  of  the 
■ational  prejudices,  the  manners,  cnftoms,  religions,  and  polirical 
fetitimcnts  of  all  thefe,  will  form  the  Pennfylvanian  chara^cr.  As 
the  leading  traits  in  this  charai^^cr,  thus  conftituted,  we  may  venture 
to  mention  induftry,  frugality,  bordering  in  fome  inftanceson  parfi- 
mony,  enteiprizc,  a  tafte  and  ability  for  improvements  in  mechanics, 
in  roanufa6ture9,  in  agriculture,  in  public  buildings  and  inftitutioiM, 
in  commerce,  and  in  the  liberal  fciences;  temperance,  plamneis, 
and  (implicity  in  drefs  and  manners;  pride  and  humility  in  their  ex- 
tremes ;  inofFenfivenefs  and  intrigue  ;  and  in  regard  to  religion,  va- 
riety and  HARMONY.  Such  appear  td  be  the  diftinguiihing  traits 
in  the  colledive  Pennfylvanian  chara6ler. 

UTERARY,    HUMANE,    AND  OTHER  USEFUL  ] 

SOCIETIES. 

TJiefe  arc  more  numerous  and  flourifliing  In  Pennfylvania,  than 
any  of  the  United  States.  The  names  of  the  principal  of  thefe  i 
proving  inftitutions,  the  times  when  they  were  eftablilhed,  and  thefucr* 
mary  of  the  benevolent  defigns  they  Were  intended  to  accompli"^^ 
will  be  mentioned  in  their  order. 

I.  The  American  Philofophical  Society,  held  at  Philadelphia,  :^c 
promoting  ufefiil  knowledge.  This  fociety  was  formed  January  -^^ 
1 769,  by  the  union  of  two  other  literary  focieties  that  had  fubfifted  i^ 
fome  time  in  Philadelphia,  and  were  created  one  body  corporate  SLnd 
politic,  with  fq.ch  powers,  privileges,  and  immunities  as  are  necd^ 
fary  for  anfwering  the  valuable  purpofes  which  the  fociety  had  or'igi- 
nally  in  view,  by  a  charter  granted  by  the  Commonwealth  of  Penfl- 
fylvania,  on  the  15th  of  March,  1780.  Thfs  fociety  have  already 
publifhed  three  very  valuable  volumes  of  their  tranfadtions  j  one  ifl 
1771,   one  in  1786,  and  the  other  in  1793. 

In  1 77 1,  this  fociety  confifted  of  nearly  three  hundred  mem- 
bers ;  and  upwards  of  one  hufldred  and  twenty  have  fince  been 
added ;  a  large  proportion  of  which  are  perfons  of  the  firft  diftinc* 
fiion  in  Europe. 


OF    J^EKNsVLVANiA.  44^ 

eir  charter  allows  them  to  hold  lands,  gifts,  &c.  to  the  amount 

:  clear  yearly  value  of  ten  thoufahd  bufliels  of  wheat.    The 

^r  of  members  is  not  limited* 

The  Society  for  promoting  Political  Inquiries,  confifting  of 

members,  inflituted  in  February,  1787V 

The  College  of  Phyficians^    inftituted  in  1787,  for  the  pro^ 

1  of  medical,  anatomical,  and  chemical  knowlege,    incorpo-  . 

Dy  a<ft  of  AfTembly,  March,  I789. 

The  Pennfylvania  Hofpital,  a  humane  inftitution,  which  was 

leditated  in  1750,  and  carried'into  effe^  by  means  of  a  liberal 

iption  of  about  3000I.  and  by  the  afliflance  of  the  AlTembly^ 

^"  ^7S^»  granted  as  much  more  for  the  purpole.     The  prefcnt 

ig  was  begun  in  1754,  and  finifhed  in  1756.    This  hofpital 

er  the  diretflion  of  twelve  managers,  chofen  annually,  and  is 

every  year  by  a  committee  of  the  Aflembly.     The  accounts 

managers  are  fubmitted  to  the  infpe<5tion  of  the  legiflature. 
nficians  attend  gratis,  and  generally  prefcribe  twice  or  three 
n  a  week,  in,  their  tiirns.  This  hofpital  islhe  general  receptacle 
atics  and  madmen,  and  of  thofe  affe6led  with  other  diforders, 
e  unable  to  fupport  themfelves.     Here  they  ar^  humanely 

and  well  provided  for. 

The  Philadelphia  Difpenfary,  for  the  medical  relief  of  the  poor. 
)enevolent  inilitution  was  eftablillied  on  the  12th  of  April, 
and  is  fupported  by  annual  fubfcriptions  of  thirty-five  iliillinga 
erfon.     No  lefs  than  eighteen  hundred  patients  were  admitted 

fixteen  months  after  the  fipd  opening  of  the  difpenfary.  It- 
er  the  diredion  of  twelve  managers  and  fix  phyficians,  all  of 

attend  gratis.  This  inflitution  exhibits  an  application  of 
ing  like  the  mechanical  powers  to  the  purpofes  of  humanity^ 
reatefl  quantity  of  good  is  produced  this  way  with  the  leaft 
Five  hundred  pounds  a  year  defrays  all  the  expenfes  of  the 
ion*  The  poor  are  taken  care  of  in  their  own  houfes,  and 
:    every    thing  for  themfelves,   except  medicines,  cordials^ 

&c. 

^he  Pennfylvania  Society,  for  promoting  the  abolition  of 
,  and  the  relief  of  free  negroes  unlawfully  held  in  bondage. 
3ciety  was  begun  in  1774,  and  enlarged  on  the  23d  of  April, 
The  oflicers  of  the  fociety  confift  of  a  prelident,  two  vice- 
Dts,  two  fecretaries,  a  treafurer,  four  counfellors,  an  electing 
ttee  of  twelve,  and  an  ading  committee  of  fix  members ;  all 
.  II.       '  3  L  of 


44^  GENERAL   DESCftlfTlOlT 

'  J 

of  whom,  except  the  laft,  are  to  be  chofen  annually  by  ballot  ott thff    j 
fiift  Monday  in  January.    The  fociety  meet  quarterly,   and  each 
member  contributes  ten  fliHlings  annuaHy,  in  quarterly  payments^ 
towards  defraying  its  contingent  expcnfes. 

The  legiflature  of  this  State  have  favoured  the  humane  defigris  of 
fliis  fociety,  by  "  An  A£l'  for  the  gradual  Abolition  of  Slavery,*' 
paiTed  on  the  fir  ft  of  March,  1780;  wherein,  among  other  things^ 
it  is  oiklained,  that  no  perfon  bom  within  the  State,  after  the  pa^g 
of  the  a6l,  fliall  be  coniidered  as  a  fervant  for  life  ;  and  all  perpetual 
ilavery  is  by  this  a£l  for'  ever  abolilhed.  The  a6t  provides,  that 
thofe  who  would,  in  cafe  this  adl  had  not  bee(!  made,  have  been 
born  fcrvants  or  flaves,  faall  be  deemed  fuch,  till  they  fliall  attain 
the  age  of  twenty-eight  years  ;  but  they  are  to  be  treated  in  all  re- 
fpe^ks  as  fecvants  bound  by  indenture  for  four  years. 

7.  The  Society  of  the  United  Brethren,  for  propagating  the  gofpel 
among  the  heathens,  inftitutcd  in  1787,  to  be  held  ftatedly  at  Beth- 
lehem. An  a£l,  incorporating  this  fociety,  and  invefting  it  with  all 
neceflary  powers  and  privileges  for  accomplifliing  its  pious  defigns, 
was  pafTed  by  the  legiflature  of  the  State  on  the  27th  of  February, 
1788.  They  can  hold  lands,  houfes,  &c.to  the  annual  amoiuit  of 
two  thoufand  pounds. 

Thefe  pious  Brethren,  commonly  called  Moravians,  beganamif- 
fion  among  the  Mahikan,  Wampano,  Delaware,  Shawanoe,  Nan- 
tikok  and  other  Indians,  about  fifty  years  ago,  and  were  fo  fuccefs- 
ful,  as  to  have  baptized  more  than  one  thoufand  fouls  on  a  profeffion 
of  Chriftianity.  Six  hundred  of  thefe  have  died  in  the  Chriftian  faith  f 
about  three  hundred  live  with  the  miflionaries  near  lake  Erie,  and 
the  reft  are  either  dead  Or  apoftates  in  the  wildernefs. 

8.  The  Fennfylvania  Society,  for  the  encouragement  of  man* 
failures  and  ufelul  arts,  inftituted  in  1787,  open  for  the  reception 
of  every  citizen  in  the  United  States  which  will  fulfil  the  engage- 
ments of  a  member  of  the  fame.  Tlie  fociety  ii  under  the  dire^oo 
of  a  prefident,  four  vice-prefidents  and  twelve  managers,  befides 
Subordinate  officers.  Each  member,  on  his  admiflion,  pays  ten  fliil- 
lings  at  leaft  into  the  general  fund ;  and  the  fame  fum  annually,  till 
he  fliall  ceafe  to  be  a  member. 

Befidcs  thefe,  a  very  refpedable  infurance  company  has  lately  been 

eftabliflied  in  Philadelphia,  with  a  caj)ital  of  fix  hundred  thoufand 

dollars,  who  have  commenced  bufinefs  to  advantage. — There  is  atti 

4  Society  for  alleviating  the  Miferies  of  Frifoas ;  and  a  Huniane 

I  Society, 


OF    PENNSYLVANIA,  443 

Society/for  the  recovering  and  r^ftoring  to  life  the  bbdies  of  drovtrned 
perfoQs,  inilituted  in  17709  under  the  diredtion  of  thirteen  roa*- 
nagers. — And  a  Society  for  the  aid  and  proteftion  of  Irifh  emi* 
grants. 

Alfo,  an  Agricultural  Society ;  a  Society  for  German  emigrants  ; 
a  Marine  Society,  confifting  of  captains  of  veflels ;  a  Charitable 
Society  for  the  fuppprt  of  widows  and  families  of  Prelbyteriaa 
clergymen  ;  and  St.  George's,  St.  Andrew's,  and  the  Hibernian 
Charitabl(^  Societies,  Moft  of  thefe  focieties  are  ix^  the  city  of  Fhi^ 
ladelphia« 

COLLEGES,  ACADEMIES,  AND  SCHOOLS, 

From  the  enterprifing  and  literary  fpirit  of  the  Pennfylvanians,  w^ 
fhould  naturally  conclude,  what  is  iiadt,  that  thefe  are  numerouB. 

In  Philadelphia  is  the  univerfity  of  Pennfylvania,    founded  and 

.  jendowed  by  the  legiflature  during  the  war.   Profeflbrfliips  are  efta- 

biidied  in  all  the  liberal  arts  and  fciences,  and  a  complete  courfe  of 

-education  may  be  purfued  here  from  the  fird  rudiments  of  literature 

to  the  higheii:  branches  of  fcience. 

The  college  and  academy  of  Philadelphia  was  founddd  by  charter 
between  thirty  and  forty  years  ago,  and  endowed  by  fubfcriptions 
of  liberal-minded  perfons.  Though  this  inftitution  was  interrupted 
in  its  progrefs  for  feveral  years  during  the  late  war,  yet  being  re- 
-eflablifhed  fince  the  peace^  it  has  rapidly  recovered  its  former  ftate  of 
profperity,  and  to  the  bench  of  profeiTors  has  lately  been  added  one 
of  common  and  federal  law,  which  renders  it  in  reality,  though  not 
in  name,  an  univerfity.  An  a6t  to  unite  thefe  two  inflitutions  has 
paiTed  the  legiflature.  By  their  union  they  will  corrftitute  one  of  the 
tnoik  refpe6lable  feminaries  of  learning  in  the  United  States. 

Dickinfon  College,  at  Carliile,  an  hundred  and  twenty  miles 
weilward  of  Philadelphia,  was  founded  in  1783,  and  has  a  principal, 
three  profeflbrs,  a  philofophical  apparatus,  a  library  confifling  of 
nearly  three  thoufand  volumes,  four  thoufand  pounds  in  funded  cer- 
tificates, and  ten  thoufand  acres  of  land ;  the  laft,  the  donation  of 
the  State.  In  1787,  there  were  eighty  ftudents  belonging  to  this 
college :  this  number  is  annually  increafing.  It  was  named  after  his 
Excellency  John  Dickinfon,  author  of  the  Pennfylvania  Farmer's 
Letters,  and  formerly  prefident  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council 
4Qf  this  Stale. 

3  L  a  In 


1^44  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

In  1787,  a  college  was  founded  at  Lancafter,  fixty-fix  miles  ftwn 
Philadelphia,  and  honoured  with  the  name  of  Franklin  college,  alter 
his  Excellency  Dr.  Franklin.  This  college  is  for  the  Germans,  ia 
which  they  may  educate  their  youth  in  their  own  language,  and  ia 
conformity  to  their  own  habits.  The  Englifh  language^  however, 
IS  taught  in  it.  Its  endowments  are  nearly  the  £ame  as  thofe  of 
Dickinfon  college.  Its  truftees  coniift  of  Lutherans,  PrcfbyterianSi 
and  Calvinifts,  of  each  an  equal  number.  The  principal  is  a  Lv* 
theran,  and  the  vice-principal  is  a  Calvinift. 

.  The  Epifcopalians  have  an  academy  at  York  town,  in  Yoik 
county.  There  are  alfo  academies  at  German  town,  at  Pittlburgi 
at  Wafhington,  at  Allen's  town,  and  other  places  ;  thefe  are  endowed 
hy  donations  from  the  legiilature,  and  by  liberal  contributions  of 
individuals. 

The  fchools  for  young  men  and  women  in  Bethlehem  and  Naza^ 
rcth^ under  the  dire6tion  of  the  people  called  Moravians,  are 
upon  the  beft  eilablidiment  of  any  fchools  in  America.  Befides 
thefe,  there  are  private  fchools  in  different  parts  of  the  State ;  ani 
to  promote  the  education  of  poor  children,  the  State  have  appiropii- 
ated  a  large  trad  of  land  for  the  eflabliflunent  of  free  fchools.  A 
great  proportion  of  the  labouring  people  among  the  Germans  an4 
Irifli  are,  however,  extremely  ignorant. 

NEW    INVENTIONS, 

• 

Thefe  have  been  numerous  and  ufeful;  Among  others  are  the 
following : — a  new  model  of  the  planetary  worlds,  by  Mr.  Ritten- 
houfc,  commonly,  but  improperly,  called  an  orrery  j  a<quadrant,  by 
Mr.. Godfrey,  called  by  the  plagiary  name  of  Hadley's  quadrant;  9 
ileam  boat,  fo  conftruftcd,  as  that,  by  the  afiiflance  of  fleam,  ope- 
rating on  certain  machinery  within  the  boat,  it  moves  with  confidera^^ 
b!e  rapidity  againft  the  ftream  without  the  aid  of  hands.  MeflT.  Fitch 
and  Rum  fay  contend  with  each  other  for  the  honour  of  this  inven- 
tion. Befides  thefe,  there  have  been  invented  many  manufacturing 
machines  for  carding,  fpinning,  winnowing,  &c.  which  perform  aa 
immenfe  deal  of  work  with  very  little  manual  affiftancet 


CON 


.    er   PENNSYLVAmA*  445 

COMSTltUtiON. 

fife-  dnjlihttion  of  theCommorpiXjeahh  of  Pennfyhahid^  as  ratified  in 

Conveftiion  the  Q.d  day  of  September^   1 790. 

WE,  the  people  of  th«  Cowmdnwcalth  of  Pennfylvaniaj  ordain 
andeftablifli  this  conftitution  for  its  government. 

Article  I*  The  Jegiflative  power  of  this  comnronWealth  Ihall  be 
irefted  in  a,  general  AiTembly,  which  flial  coiifift  of  a  fenate  and  houfe 
of  reprefentatlves. 

il.  The  reprtffentatives  (hall  be  chofeil  annually  by  the  dti;?ens 
bf  the  city  of  Philadelphia^  ahd  of  each  county  refpeftirely,  on  the 
iecond  Tucfday  of  O^oben 

•  IIL  No  perfon  Ihall  be  a  reprefentatite  who  {hall  not  hdve  at- 
taoned  the  age  of  tWeoty-one  years^  and  have  been  a  citizen  and  tn» 
habitant  of  the  State  three  years  next  preceding  bis  election,  and  the 
lad  year  thereof  an  inhabitant  of  the  city  \r  county  in  which  hi 
Ihall  be  chofen^  unlefs  he  fhall  have  been  abfent.on  the  fiublic  buli- 
nefs  of  the  United  States,  or  of  thip  State.  No  perfon  redding 
within  any  city^  town  or  borough,  which  ihall  be  entitled  to  a  fepa- 
rate  reprefentation,  fhall  be  eledted  a  mennber  for  any  c!ounty ;  not^ 
ihall  any  perfon,  refiding  without  the  limits  of  any  fuch  city,  town 
or  borough;  be  elected  a  member  therefor. 

IV.  Within  three  years  after  the  iirft  meeting  of  the  general  Af* 
fembly,  and  within  every  fubfequcnt  term  of  feven  years,  an  enii* 
meration  of  the  taxable  inhabitants  (hall  be  made,  in  fuch  manner  as 
ihall  be  direded  by  law*  The  number  of  reprefentatives  fliall,  at 
the  feveral  periods  of  making  fuch  enumeration,  be  fixed  by  the  legif-* 
lature,  and  apportioned  an^ong  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  and  the  fe« 
veral  counties,  according  to  the  number  of  taxable  inhabitants  in 
each ;  and  fliall  never  be  lefs  than  fixty,  nor  greater  than  one  hun-> 
dred*  Each  county  fhall  have,  at  lead,  one  reprefentative ;  but  ncr 
county,  hereafter  ereded,  Ihail  be  entitled  to  a  feparate  reprefenta- 
tion,  until  a  fufficient  number  of  itaxable  inhabitants' ihall  be  con« 
tained  Withii^vit^  to  entitle  them  to  one  reprefentative,  agreeable  to 
the  ratio  which  ihall  then  be  eflabltihcd.  \ 

V.  The  fenators  fhall  be  chofen  for  four  years  by  the  citizens  of 
Fhila4€ilphia,  and  of  the.  feveral  counties,  at  the  fame  time,  in  the 
fame  manner,  and  at  the  fame  places,  where  they  fhall  vote  £or  ft* 
pref^iUtives. 

yip  The.  number  of  feoators .  fhall^  at  the  feveral  periods  of 
making  the  enumeration  before  mentionedy  Se  fixed  by  the  legida** 


44^  GENERAL   DESCHlPTlOM 

tiire,  and  apportioned  among  the  diftridts  formed  as  herein  after  di« 
re<5ted,  according  to  the  number  of  taxable  inhabitants  in  each ;  and 
ihall  never  be  lefs  than  one-fourth,  nor  greater  than  one^iril,  tf 
the  number  of  reprefentatives. 

VII.  The  fenators  (liall  be  chofen  in  diftri^s  to  be  formed  bf 
the  legiflatiire :  each  difirid  containing  fuch  a  number  of  taxable 
inhabitants  as  (hail  be  entitled  to  ele6t  not  more  than  four  feoatorst 
When  a  diftricfb  (hall  be  compofed  of  two  or'more  counties,  diey 
fiiail  be  adjoining.  Neither  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  nor  any  couDty, 
ihall  be  divided  in  forming  a  diflri6l. 

VIII.  No  perfon  ^all  be  a  fenator,  who  (hall  not  have  attained 
the  age  of  twenty-five  years,  and  have  been  a  citizen  and  inhabitant 
of  the  State  four  years  next  before  his  ele^on,  and  the  laft  year 
thereof  an  inhabitant  oi  the  diflri^  for  which  he  (hall  be  chofen ; 
unlefs  be  0iall  have  been  ab(ent  on  public  buEnefs  of  the  United 
States,  or  of  this  Stated 

..  IX.  Immediately  after  the  ienators  (hall  be  a(rembled,  in  con(e« 
quejice  of  the  fir.(t  ek(5tion,  fubfequent  to  the  iirfi  enumeration,  tbej 
(hall  be  divided  by  lot,  as  equally  as  may  be,  into  four  claffes.  The 
feats  of  the  iienators  of  the  ftvA  clafs,  (hail  be  vacated  at  the  expira* 
tion  of  the  $^(l  year ;  of  the  fecood  dafs,  at  the  expiration  of  the 
fecond  year;  of  the  third  clafs,  at  the  expiration  of  the  third  year; 
ai;id  of  the  fpi^rth  claf^,  at  the  expiration  of  the  fourth  year;  i[>  that 
one* fourth  may  be  chofen  ^very  year* 

X.  The  general  Aflemblj  (hall  ipeet  on  the  firft  Tuefday  of  Dc- 
c^mb^r  in  cy try  year^  unlefs  fooncr  convened  by  the  governor. 

XI.  Each  hoi^e  (hall  cbufe  ita  fpeaker  and  other  officers  ;  and  the 
fenate  A^all  aUb  chufe  a  fpeaker,  pro  Umfarff  when  the  fpeidcer  (hail 
exeicife  the  offi«3'of  govcmor. 

XII.  Each  houfe  Aiall  ju^ge  of  the  qualifications  of  its  members. 
Contefted  elections  fliall  be  determined  by  a  committee  to  befele^d, 
formed,  and  regulated  in  fuch  manner  a^  ihati  be  dire&ed  by  law. 
A  majority  ofeacii  houfe  (haU:  conftitute  a.  quorum  to  dobofinefs ; 
but  a  fmaller- jramber  may  adjoam  from  day  todftyi  andrms^bd 
authorifed,  by  law,  to  compel  the  aitendancex>f  abfismc  meniber^  in 
fuch  manner,  and  mder.fudi  penalties,  as  doay  be  pnmdqd. 

XUL  Each  houib  may  determine  the  rules  of  iti  piXKeadingsi 
puuidi  its  members  for  difbrderJy  behaviour ;  and^  with  the  cx>d€lir« 
rence  of  two-thirds,  expel  a  member ;  but  not  a  fecQod  tiNMr  fill 
the  fame  cauTe ;  and  iliall  have  all  other  powert  nttceffai^  ftp  i  Utfteh 
of  the legiflaturfi of  afr^. State, 

.3  .    .  TOV^tMA 


OP   PENNSITLVANIA.  447 

.  XIV.  Each  hottfe  iliall  keep  a  journal  oi  its  proceedings,  and  pub« 
KAi  them  weekly,  except  fuch  parts  as  may  require  fecreqr.  And 
the  yeas  and  na3rs  of  the  members,  on  any  qneftion,  fhall,  at  the 
ilefire  of  any  two  of  them,  be  entered  oh  the  journals. 

XV.  The  doors  of  each  hoiife,  and  of  committees  of  the  whole, 
fliail  be  open,  unlefs  when  the  buiinefs  (hall  be  fuch  as  ought  to  be 
Joeptfecret. 

XVI.  Neither  houie  Ihall,  without  the  confcnt  of  the  other,  ad- 
journ for  more  than  three  day^,  aor  to  any  other  place  than  that  in! 
which  the  two  houfes  (hall  be  fitting. 

XVII.  The  fenators  and  rcprefentatives  fliall  receive  a  compenfa- 
tioo  for  cheir  fervices,  to  be  afcertained  by  law,  and  paid  out  of  the 
tccafuiy  of  the  commonwealth.  They  (hall,  in  all  cafes,  except 
ireafon,  felony,  and  breach  or  furety  of  the  peace,  be  privileged 
from  arrefl  during  cheir  attendance  at  the  fdfion  of  the  refpediva 
houfes,  and  in  goiuj  to  and  returning  from  the  iame.  And  for  any 
jpeech  or  debate  in  either  boufe  they  ihall  not  be  (jueilioned  in  any 
other  place. 

XVin.  No  fenator  or  rep^efentativc  fhall,  during  the  time  for 
9vhich  he  (hall  have  been  ele^ed,  be  appointed  to  any  civil  office 
under  this  commonwealth,  which  fhall  have  been  created,  or  the 
emoluments  of  which  fhall  have  been  increafed,  during  fuch  time ; 
and  no  member  of  Congrefs,  or  other  perfon  holding  any  office, 
except  of  attorney  at  law,  and  in  the  militia,  under  the  United 
States  or  this  commonwealth,  ihall  be  a  member  of  either  houfe, 
during  his  continuance  in  Congrefs  or  in  office. 

XIX.  When  vacancies  happen  in  either  boufe,  the  fpeaker  fhall 
ilTue  writs  of  election  to  fill  fuch  vacancies. 

XX.  All  bills  for  raifing  revenue  (ball  originate  in  the  houfe  of 
reprefentatives ;  but  the  fenate  naay  propofe  amendments  as  in  other 
bills. 

XXL  No  money  fhall  be  drawn  from  the  treafury,  but  in  confc« 
quence  of  appropriations  made  by  law. 

XXIL  Every  bill,  which  fhall  have  pafled  both  houfes,  (hall  be 
prefented  to  the  governor.  If  he  approve  he  fliatt  fign  it ;  but  if 
be  fhall  not  approve  he  (hall  return  it,  whh  his  obje^ions,  to  the 
houfe  in  which  it  fhall  have  originated,  who  fhall  enter  the  objec* 
doQi  -at  large  upon  thtir  joumalsi  and  proceed  to  re»confider  it.  If, 
after:  fiich  re-confideration,  two*thirds  of  that  honft  fhall  agree  to* 
pafi  fh^  bil}|  it  fhall  \k  fent,  with  the  objeAionSi  to  the  other  heitfe, 

*  3  li  »  by 


44^  GSNERAL    DESCRIPTION 

by  which  likewife  it  ihall  be  re-confidered ;  and  if  approved  by  tnror 
thirds  of  that  houie,  jit  (haM  be  a  law.  But  io  fuch  cafes,  die  veto 
of  both  hoiife^  fliall  be  determined  by  yeas  and  aays ;  and  the  namef 
of  the  perfoQS  voting  for  or  againft  ^e  bill  ihall  be  entered  on  the 
journals  of  each  houfe  nefpe^veiy.  If  any  bill  ffaall  not  be  re- 
turned  by  the  governor  within  ten  days,  Sundays  excepted,  after  it 
dial!  have  been  prefented  to  him^  it  (hall  be  a  law»  in  like  mannec 
as  if  he  had  figned  it,  unlefs  the  general  Aflembly,  by  their  adjouror 
ment,  prevent  its  return ;  in  which  cafe  it  fhall  be  a  law,  unlefs  fent 
back  within  three  days  after  their  pext  pieeting* 

XXIII.  Every  order,  refolution  or  vote,  to  which  the  concurrence 
of  both  houfes  may  be  necefliuy,  except  on  a  queftion  of  adjouni- 
ment,  (hail  be  prefented  to  the  governor ;  and,  before  it  (liall  take 
jeffe.6^,  be  approved  by  him  ;  or,  being  difapproved,  fliall  be  rcrpafied 
by  two-third3  of  both  houfes,  according  to  t^e  rules  and  iimitations 
prefcribed  in  cafe  of  a  bill. 

ARTICLE    II. 

I.  The  fuprerae  executive  power  of  this  cpmiponwealtfa  fliall  be 
vefted  in  a  governor. 

II.  The  governor  (hall  be  chofen  on  the  fecond  Tucfday  of  O^o- 
ber  by  the  citizens  of  the  commonwealth,  ^t  the  places  where  they 
fhall  refpct^ively  vote  for  reprefentatives.  The  returns  of  every 
ele^ion  for  governor  fhall  be  fealed  up,  and  tranfmitted  to  the  feat 
of  government,  dire^ledf  to  the  fpeaker  of  the  fenate,  who  fhall  open 
and  publifli  them  in  the  prefence  of  the  members  of  both  houfes  of 
the  legiflature.  The  perfqn  having  the  higheft  number  pf  votes 
fhall  be  governor.  But  if  two  or  more  fhall  be  jsqual  and  higheft  in 
votes,  one  of  them  fhall  be  chofen  governor,  by  the  joint  vote  of 
the  members  of  both  houf(^.  Gontefled  ele^ions  fliall  be  deter- 
pnined  by  a  committee,  to  be  fele6ted  from  both  houfes  of  the  Ic* 
giflatjure^  fQrmed  and  regulated  in  fuch  manner  as  fhall  be  direfteci 
by  law. 

Ill*  The  governor  fhall  hold  hi)  office  during  three  ypars  fioom  the 
third  Tucfday  of  December  next  enfuing  his  elef^ion ;  and  fiudl  not 
b^  capable  of  holding  it  longer  ^ban  nine  in  any  term  pf  twelve 
years. 

.  IV. .  He  ihall  be  »t  leaft  thirty  year^  6f  age,  and  have  httn  a  dtizeQ 
and  iohabitani:  of  thi»  State  feyen  years  ne^  before  his  ele&ion ;  un- 

■  • .  >  '  '       kb 

I  «  • 


OF   PENNSYLVANIA.  44^ 

iefs  lie  Ihall  have  been  abfent  on  the  public  bulinefa  of  the  United 
States,  or  of  this  State. 

V.  No  member  of  Congrefs,  or  perfon  holding  any  office  under 
the  United  States,  or  this  State,  (hall  cxercife  the  office  of  governor. 

VI.  The  governor  (hall,  at  {i:ated  times,  receive  for  his  ferviccs  a 
compenfation,  which  (hall  be  neither  increafed  nor  diminiflied  during 
the  period  for  which  he  fhall  have  been  ele£led. 

Vir.  He  (hall  be  commander  in  chief  of  the  army  and  nav}'  of 
this  commonwealth,  and  of  th^  ii)Uitia ;  except  when  they  fliall  be 
called  into  the  aftual  fervice  of  the  Uwted  Stafes. 

VIII.  He  (hall  appoint  all  officers,  whofe  offices  are  ^ftahlilhed  by 
this  conftitution,  or  (hall  be  eftablilhed  by  law,  and  whofe  appoint* 
ments  are  not  herein  otherwife  provided  for ;  but  no  perfon  iliall  be 
appointed  to  an  office  within  any  county,  who  fliall  not  have  been  4 
citizen  and  inhabitant  therein  one  year  next  before  his  appointment, 
if  the  county  fhall  have  been  fo  long  crefted ;  but  if  it  fhall  not  have 
been  fo  long  ereded,  then  within  the  limits  of  the  county  or 
counties  out  of  which  it  (hall  have  been  taken.  No  member  of' 
Congrefs  from  this  State,  nor  any  perfon  holding  or  exercifing  any 
office  of  truft  or  profit  under  the  United  States,  fhall,  at  the  fame 
time,  hold  or  cxercife  the  office  of  judge,  fecretaiy,  treafurer,  pro* 
thonotary,  regifler  of  wills,  recorder  of  deeds,  fheriif,  or  any  office 
}n  this  State,  to  which  a  falary  is  by  law  annexed,  or  any  other  office 
vi^hich  future  legiflatures  (liall  declare  incompatible  with  offices  or 
fippointments  under  the  United  States. 

IX.  He  fhall  have  power  to  remit  fines  and  forfeitures,  and  grant 
l-eprieves  ^nd  pardons,  except  in  cafes  of  impeachment. 

X.  He  m^y  require  information,  in  writing,  from  the  officers  in 
the  executive  department,  upon  any  fubje6t  relating  to  the  duties  of 
their  refpeftive  offices, 

XI.  He  (hall,  from  time  to  timp,  give  to  the  general  Aflembly  in- 
formation of  the  (late  of  the  commonwealth,  aad  recommend  to 
jtheir  confideration  fuch  meafures  as  he  fhall  judge  expedi<?nt. 

XII.  He  may,  on  extraordinary  occafions,  convene  the  general 
AfTembly ;  and,  in  cafe  of  difagreement  between  the  two  houfes  with 
refped  to  the  time  of  adjournment,  adjourn  theni  to  fuch  time  as  he 
ihall  think  proper,  not  exceeding  four  mqntl^s. 

XIII.  He  (hall  t^e  care  that  the  laws  be  faith^Hj  executed. 

XIV.  In  cafe  of  the  death  or  refignation  of  the  governor,  or  of 
'   ronoval  from  officei  the  fpetfcer  of  the  katat  fludl  cxercife  the  ' 

office 


450  GENERAL   DESCRItTIOlT 

office  of  governor^  until  another  governor  (hall  be  duly  qoaMed* 
And  if  the  trial  of  a  contcfted  elefkion  fliall  continue  longer  than 
until  the  third  Tucfday  in  December  next  enfuing  the  election  of  si 
governor,  the  governor  of  the  Jaft  year,  or  the  Ipcaker  of  the  fc- 
nate,  who  may  be  in  the  exerpife  of  the  executive  authority,  ihall 
continue  therein  until  the  determination  of  fuch  coateiled  eledioD» 
and  until  a  governor  (hall  be  (ji^alified  as  aforefaid. 

XV,  A  fecretary  (hall  be  appointed  and  eommiffioned  during  the 
governor's  continuance  in  office,  if  he  ihall  fo  long  behave  himfelf 
well.  He  fhall  keep  a  fair  regifter  of  ^11  the  official  adts  and  pro* 
ceedings  of  the  governor,  and  fliall,  when  required,  lay  the  fame, 
and  all  papers,  minutes  and  vouchers  relative  thereto,  before  either 
branch  of  the  legiflature ;  and  ihall  perform  fuch  other  duties  as  ihalt 
be  enjoined  him  by  law. 

ARTICLE    III, 

I.  In  cleftions  by  the  citizens,  every  freeman  of  the  age  of  twenty* 
one  years,  having  refided  in  the  State  two  years  next  before  the 
election,  and  within  that  time  paid  a  State  or  county  tax,  which 
fliall  have  been  aiTefTed  at  leail  iix  months  before  the  eledtion,  ihall 
enjoy  the  rights  of  an  elector  j  provided,  that  the  fons  of  perfons 
qualified  as  aforefaid,  between  the  ages  of  twenty-one  and  twenty- 
two  years,  iliall  be  entitled  to  vote,  although  they  il>all  not  have 
paid  taxes. 

II.  All  eleftions  il^l  be  by  ballot,  except  thofe  by  perfons  in 
their  reprefentative  capacities,  who  ihall  vote  'viva  voce* 

III.  Electors  ihall,  in  all  cafes,  except  treafon,  felony,  and  breach 
or  furcty  of  the  peace,  be  privilege4  from  arreft  during  their  attend- 
ance at  elections,  and  in  going  to  and  returning  from  them« 

ARTICLE    IV, 

I.  The  houfe  of  reprefent^tives  ihall  have  the  fole  power  of  iai-^ 
peaching. 

II.  All  impeachments  ihall  be  tried  by  the  fenate.  When  fitting 
for  that  purpofe,  the  fenators  ihall  be  upon  oath  or  affirination.  No 
perfon  ihall  be  convided  without  the  concurrence  of  twOf>third«  of 
the  members  prefent. 

III.  The  govemori  and  all  other,  civil  officers^  under  this  com- 
iQonwealth,  ihall  bp,  Ijabl^  t;o  iinpj^l^i^^/Qi;;any)n[K^ 

"...   ^"."  "  ■'     •  ^ 


OF   PENNSYLVANIA,  45! 

to  removal  from  office,  and  difqualification  to  hold  any  office  of  ho- 
nour, truft  or  profit,  under  this  commonwealth.  The  party,  whether 
convicted  or  acquitted,  (hall  neverthelefs  be  liable  to  indictment,  trial, 
judgment  and  punifhment  according  to  law* 

ARTICLE    V. 

I.  The  judicial  power  of  this  commonwealth  (hall  be  vetted  in  t 
fupreme  court,  in  courts  of  oyer  and  terminer  and  general  jail  de- 
livery, in  a  court  of  common  pleas,  orphans'  court,  regifters'  courts, 
and  a  court  of  quarter  feffions  of  the  peace  for  each  county,  in  juf- 
tices  of  the  peace,  and  fuch  other  courts  as  the  legiflature  may,  from 
time  to  time,  eilabliih. 

XL  The  judges  of  the  lupreme  court,  and  of  the  feveral  courtt 
of  common  pleas,  fhall  hold  their  offices  during  good' behavicfur; 
but  foir  any  reafonable  caufe,  which  fliall  not  be  fuffitient  ground  of 
impeachment,  the  governor  may  remove  any  of  them,  on  the  ad* 
drefs  of  two-thirds  of  each  branch  of  the  legiflature.  The  judged 
of  the  fupreme  court,  and  the  prcfidents  of  the  feveral  courts  of 
coQtimon  pleas,  ihall,  at  ftated  times,  receive  for  their  fervicesan 
adequate  compenfation,  to  be  fixed  by  law,  which  ihall  not  be  di- 
fxiiniflied  during  their  continuance  in  office ;  but  they  fliall  receive  ho 
fees  or  perquifites  of  office,  nor  hold  any  other  office  of  profit  under 
this  commonwealth. 

III.  The  jurifdidion  of  the  fupreme  court  fliall  extend  over  thtf 
State;  and  the  judges  thereof  fliall,  by  virtue  of  their  offices,  ht 
juftices  of  oyer  and  terminer  and  general  jail  delivery  in  the  feveral 
counties. 

IV.  Until  it  fliall  be  othcrN^ife  d?re6ted  by  law,  the  feveral  courts 
•f  common  pleas  fliall  be  eftabliflied  in  the  following  manner:  The 
governor  iliall  appoint,  in  each  coufnty,  not  fewer  than  three,  nor 
more  than  four  judges,  who,  during  their  contiiiUance  in  office, 
ihall  fefide  in  fuch  county.  The  State  fliall  be  divided  by  law  into 
circuits,  none  of  which  fliall  include  more  than  fix,  nor  fewer  than 
three  counties.  A  prefident  fliall  be  appointed  of  the  courts  in  each 
circuit,  who,  during  his  continuance  in  office,  fliall  reficfe  therein. 
The  prefident  and  judges,  any  two  of  whom  flrall  be  a  quorUm,' 
ihall  compofe  the  refpedive  courts  of  common  pleas. 

V.  The  judges  of  the  court  of  common  plea^,  •  in  each  coMoty, 
ifhall,  by  virtue  of  their  offices,  be  juftices  of  oyer  and  terminer  and 
general  jail  delivery,  for  the  trial  of  capital  and  ochei*  offenders  thereia ; 

any 


452  GEKERAL    DESCRIPTION 

any  two  of  the  (hid  judgctj  the  prefideot  being  odc,  fliall  beaqoo^ 
rum ;  but  they  (hall  not  hold  a  court  of  oyer  and  teminer  or  jvl . 
delivery  in  any  county^  ^hen  the  judges  of  the  fupreme  court,  or 
any  of  them,  fliall  be  fitting  iii  the  fame  county*  The  party  accufed| 
as  well  as  the  commornwealth,  mny,  under  fuch  regulations  as  fhaU 
be  prcicribcd  by  la\r,  remove  the  indictment  and  proceediugs,  ori 
tranfcript  thereof^  into  t!ie  fupreme  court. 

VI.  The  fupreme  court  and  the  feveral  courts  of  common  pleat 
fliall,  bedde  the  powers  heretofore  ufually  exercifed  by  themi  have 
the  powers  of  a  court  of  chancery,  fo  far  as  relates  to  the  perpe- 
tuating teitimotiy,  tlie  obtaining  of  evidence  from  places  not  withb 
the  btatc,  and  the  care  of  the  perfons  and  eftates  of  thofe  who  are 
woa  compotes  mentis ;  and  the  legiflature  (hail  vefl  in  the  faid  courts 
fuch  other  powers,  to  grant  relief  in  equity,  as  ihall  be  found  nc«' 
ceflary ;  and  may,  from  time  to  time,  enlarge  or  diminiih  thofe 
powers,  or  veft  them  in  fuch  other  courts  as  they  ihall  judge  proper, 
for  the  due  adminiftration  of  juftice. 

VII.  The  judges  of  the  court  of  common  pleas  of  each  cotmtyg 
any  Iwo  of  whom  (hall  be  a  quorum,  (liall  compofe  the  court  of 
quarter  fef&ons  of.  the  peace  and  orphans'  court  thereof ;  and  the 
reglHer  of  wills,  together  with  the  faid  judges,  or  any  two  of  thcoiy 
fliall  compofe  the  regiHer's  court  of  each  county, 

VIII.  The  judges  of  the  courts  of  common  pleas  fhali,  within 
their  refpedive  counties,  have  the  like  powers  with  the  judg^of 
the  fupreme  court,  to  ilTue  writs  of  certiorari  to  the  juflices  of  the 
peace,  and  to  caufe  their  proceedings  to  be  brought  before  themi 
and  the  like  right  and  juflice  to  be  done. 

IX.  The  prefident  of  the  court  in  each  circuit,  within  fuch  cir- 
cuit, and  the  judges  of  the  court  of  common  pleas,  within  their  re- 
fpeflive  counties,  ihall  be  juftices  of  the  peace  fo  far  as  relates  to 
criminal  matters, 

X. .  The  governor  fliall  appoint  a  competent  number  of  juftices  of 
the  peace,  in  fuch  convenient  diflrids  in  each  county,  as  are  or  ihall 
be  direded  by  law ;  they  fliall  be  commiffioned  during  good  beha- 
viour, but  may  be  removed  on  convi&ion  of  mifbehaviour  in  office^ 
or  of  any  infamous  crime,  or  on  the  addrefs  of  both  houleft  of  thr 
legiflature. 

XL  A  regifler's  office  for  the  probate  of  wills  and  granting  letten 
of  adminiflration,  and  an  office  for  the  recording  of  deeds,  ihall  be; 
kept  in  each  county. 

Xn.Tlr 


b'F    PENNSYLVANIA.  453 

^.  The  ftyic  of  all  proccfles  (hall  be,  The  comm'onweahh  of 
PcnniyTvania ;  all  profcpution's  (liall  be  carried  on,  in  the  name  and 
by  the  authority  of  the  commonwealth  of  Pehnf^rlvania,  and  con- 
Wlude,  agdinji  the  pedie  dnH  Jignity  'of  the  fame. 

ARTICLE    Vl; 

•  Sheriffs  Aild  coroners  fiiali,  at  the  times  and  places  of  ele<5tion 
of  reprefentativeis,  be  chofen  by  the  oiti^ens  of  each  county.  Tw^ 
perfons  (hall  be  chofen  For  each  office,  one  of  whom,  for  each  ref-* 
pcdively,  &aU  be  appointed  by  the  governor.  They  (hall  hold  their 
bffices'  for  three  years,  if  they  fliall  fo  long  behave  themfelves  well, 
:ind  until  a  facceifor  be  duly  qualified  ;  but  no  peribn  (hall  be  twice 
thofen  or  appointed  (lieriff  in  any  term  of  fix  years.  Vacancies  ia 
either  of  the  faid  olHces  (hall  be  filled  by  a  new  appointment  to  be 
inade  hy  the  governor,  to  continue  until  the  next  general  eleSioOf 
iand  until  a  fucce(tbr  (liall  be  chofen  and  quali^ed  as  aforefaid. 

IL  The  freemen  of  this  commonwealth  (liall  be  armed  and  difci« 
plined  for  its  defence.  Thofe  who  confcientioufly  fcruple  to  bear 
arms,  (hall  not  be  compelled  to  do  fo,  but  fliall  pay  an  equivalent 
'for  perfohal  fervice.  The  militia  officers  (hail  be  appointed  in  fuch 
manner  and  for  fiich  time  as  (hall  be  directed  by.  law. 

III.  Prothonotaries,  clerks  of  the  peace,  and  orphans'  courts,  rt* 
'corders  of  deeds^  regifters  of  wills,  and  (herid^s,  (hall  keep  theu*  of- 
fices in  the  county  town  of  the  county  in  which  they  refpe£tively 
Ihall  be  officers,  unlefs  when  the  governor  (had,  for  i][i€cial  reafons^ 
di(penfe  therewith  for  any  term  not  exceeding  five  years,  after  the 
Icounty  (liall  have  been  erecfled. 

IV.  All  commifiioni  (hall  be  in  the  name  and  by  the  authority 
of  the  (conimonwealch  of  Pennfylvania,  and  be  Fealed  with  the  (late 
feal,  and  figned  by  the  governor. 

V.  The  (late  Ireafurer  (hall  be  appoiiited  annually  by  the  joint 

Vote  of  the  ihembers  of  both  houfes  \  all  other  officers  in  the  treafury 

department,  attornies  at  law,  ele6lion  officers,  officers  relating  to 

taxes,  to  the  poor  and  highways,   conftabtes,  and  other  town(hip 

btficers,  (liall  be  appointed  in  fuch  manner  as  is  or  (hall  be  diredled 

by  law. 

ARTICLE    VIL 

I.  The  legiflature  (liall,  as  foon  as  conveniently  may  be,  provide 
by  law  for  the  edablidiment  of  fchools  throughout  the  State,  in  fuch 
manner  that  the  poor  may  be  taught  gratis. 

Vol.  U.  *  3  M  H.  The 


45+  GENERAL    DEGCRIPTIOi^ 

IT.  The  arts  and  fcienccs  fliall  be  promoted  in  one  or  moic  vooaf 
nari.s  of  learning. 

II F.  The  rights,  privilcp^es,  immunities,  arrl  cftates  of  religioui 
focieties  and  corporate  bodies,  ihal!  r<^main  as  it"  the  conititiitioaofthif 
State  had  not  been  altered  or  amended. 

ARTICLE    VIIL 

Members  of  the  general  AfTeuif^ly,  and  all  officers,  executive  aiii 
judicial,  fliall  be  bound  by  oath  or  affirmation  to  fnpport  the  confti- 
tution  of  this  commonwealth,  and  to  perform  the  duties  of  their  re- 
.pcdive  offices  with  fidelity. 

ARTICLE    IX. 

That  the  general,  great,  and  effcntial  principles  of  liberty 
and  free  government  may  be  recognifed  and  unalterablj 
ellabl idled,  We  declare, 

I.  That  all  men  are  born  equally  free  and  independent,  and  havt 
certain  inherent  arxl  iiidefealible  rights,  among  which  arethofeof 
enjoying  and  defending  life  and  liberty,  of  acquiring,  pofleffing,  and 
prbtcfti'ng  property  and  reputation,  and  of  purfuing  their  own  hap^ 
pinefs. 

II.  That  all  power  is  inherent  in  the  people ;  and  all  free  gbvem- 

menU  arc  founded  on  their  authority,  and  inftituted  for  their  peace, 

fafety  and  happintfs.    For  the  advancement  of  thofe  ends,  they  have, 

'at  all  times,  an  unalienable  and  indefcaiible  right  to  alter,  refonn, 

or  abolifli  their  government,  in  fuch  raahner  as  they  may  think 
proper. 

m.  That  all  men  have  a  natural  and  in^efcafible  right  to  worlhip 
"  Almighty  God  according  to  the  dictates  of  their  own  confcienccs'i 
that  no  man  can,  of  right,  be  compelled  to  attend,  eredt,  or  fupport 
any  place  of  worfliip,  or  to  maintain  any  miniftry,  againfl  his  coo- 
fent  J  that  no  human  authority  can,  in  any  cafe  whatever,  control 
OF  intcrfiere  with  the  rights  of  confcience ;  and  that  no  preference 
fliall  ever  be  given,  by  law,  to  aiiy  religious  eiiablfihments  or  mode* 
of  worfhip. 

IV.  That  no  perfon,  who  acknowledges  the  being  of  a  (Sod,  anrf 
a  future  ilate  of  rewards  and  punHliments,  ihall,  on  accouuc  of  his 
religious  feiitiments,  be  difqualified  to  hold  any  office  or  place  ot 
truft  or  profit  under  this  commonwealth. 

V.  That  elections  fiiail  be  fr^e  %k1  e^ual» 


PF   fENN5.YLVANIA.  455 

VI.  That  trial  by  jury  ftiull  be  as  heretofore,  and  the  right  thereof 
remain  inviolate. 

Vn.  That  the  printing  preffes  fliaU  be  free  to  every  perfon,  who 
jundertake?  to  examine  the  proceedings  of  tlie  legiflature  or  any 
i^ranch  of  government ;  and  qo  law  fhall  ever  be  mad^  to  retrain 
the  right  thereof.  The  free  communication  of  thoughts  'and  opinions 
13  on^.  of  the  inyahiable  rights  of  man ;  and  exery  citizen  may  freely 
ibeak,  write,  and  print  on  any  fubje^,  being  refponfible  for  the 

*  •■  ''II*'  ^** 

abufe  of  that  liberty.  In  prufecutions  for  the  publication  of  pa* 
pers^  inveftigating  the  official  conduA  of  officers,  or  men  in  a  public 
capacity,  or  where  the  matter  publiflied  is  proper  for  public  informa- 
tion, ;he  truth  thereof  may  be  given  in  evidence.  And,  in  all  in* 
di£lments  for  libels,  the  jury  fliall  have  a  right  to  determine  the  lafv 
aqd  the  fafts,  under  the  dire(ftion  of  the  court,  as  in  other  cafes. 

Vm.  That  the  people  fliall  be  fccure  in  their  perf(jns,  houfes, 
papers  and  polfeffions,  from  unre^fonable  fearches  and  feiajurcs ;  and 
that  no  warrant  to  (carch  any  place,  or  to  ftjize  any  perfon  or  thiiigSf 
fliall  ifTuc  without  defcribing  them  as  nearly  as  may  be,  nor  without 
probable  caufc,  fupported  by  oath  or  affirmation. 

IX»  That,  in  all  criminal  profecutions,  the  accufed  hath  a  righ 
to  be  heard  by  himfelf  and  his  council ;  to  demand  the  nature  and 
caufe  of  the  accufation  againft  him  ;  to  n>eet  the  witnefTes  face  to 
face ;  to  have  compulfory  procefs  for  obtaining  witneiles  ii;i  his  fa- 
vour; and,  in  profecutions  by  indidtment  or  information,  a  fpcedy 
public  trial,  by  an  impartial  jury  of  the  vicinage ;  that  he  cannot  be 
compelled  to  give  evidence  againft  himfelf;  nor  can  he  be  deprived 
of  his  life,  liberty  or  property,  unlefs  by  the  judgment  of  his  peers, 
or  the  law  of  the  land. 

X.  That  no  perfon  {hall,  for  any  indictable  ofFencej  be  proceeded 
againft  criminally  by  information,  except  in  cafes  arifing  in  the  land 
or  naval  forces,  or  in  the  militia,  when  in  aftual  lervice,  iii  time  of 
^var  or  public  danger,  or,  by  leave  of  the  court,  for  oppreffion  arid 
inifdemeanor  in  office.  No  perfon  fliall,  for  the  fanie  offence,  be 
Iwiqe  put  in  jeopardy  of  life  or  limb  ;  nor  (hall  any  man*s  property 
be  taken  or  applied  tp  public  ufe  without  the  confent  of  bis  rcpre- 
icntatiycs,  and  without  juft  compenfation  being  made. 

XI.  That  all  courts  fliall  be  open  j  and  every  man,  fox  ^  injury 
done  him  in  his  lands,  goods,  perfon  or  reputation,  fliall  have  re* 
inedy  by  the  due  courfc  of  law,  and  right  iand  jullice  adrainiftcred 
vvitbout  fale,  denial  or  delay.   Suits  may  bp  broju^ht  a^infl  the  com- 

*  3'M8^  iKipnwcalth 


Lt^  GE?CrRAL  DESGRIPTIOJJ 

irnpw •.:.;:.:  r.\  w.:.h  ..r.inier,  in  fuch courts,  ai\d  in  fuch  cafeS|  astiha 
l-.^ii!  i:;:ic  wxz-.)'  by  law  dirc^. 

Xll.  Tiiat  no  power  of  fufpending  laws  (hall  be  exercifed,  UDle& 
by  the  Icgiflaturc  or  its  authority, 

Xill.  That  exceifive  bail  (liall  not  be  required,  nor  exceffive  fioet 
impofed,  nor  cruel  puniiliments  infli£ted. 

XIV.  That  all  prifoners  fhall  be  bailable  by  fufiicient  iureties,  unlefs 
for  capital  offences,  when  the  proof  is  evident  or  prcfumption  great  j 
axKl  the  privileges  of  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus  fliall  not  be  fuf- 
pended,  unlefs  when,  in  cafes  of  rebellion  or  invafion,  the  public 
fafety  may  require  it. 

.  XV.  That  no  commiilion  of  oyer  and  terminer  or  jail  delivery 
(hall  he  iflued. 

XVI.  That  the  pcrfon  of  a  debtor,  where  there  is  not  ftrong  pre-, 
fumption  of  fraud,  (hall  not  be  continued  in  prifon  after  delivering 
up  his  ei^;ite  for  the  bene^t  of  his  creditors,  in  fu^h  manner  91s  (hall 
be  prcfcribed  by  lavv, 

X\1L  That  no  ex  pojl  faHo  law,  nor  any  law  impairing  contraft^ 
(1)^11  be  made. 

XVIII.  That  no  pcrfon  fliall  be  attainted  of  treafon  or  felony  by 
(he  legiflature. 

XIX.  That  no.  attainder  (hall  work  corruption  pf  bloo<],  nor,  ex^ 
cept  during  the  life  of  the  offender,  forfeiture  of  efbte  to  the  com- 
monwealth ;  tliat  the.  eflates  of  fuch  pe^fons  a«  (hall  deftroy  their 
own  lives,  (hall  defcend  or  vefl  as  in  cafe  of  natural  death  \  and  if 
aay  perfon  fliall  be  killed  by  cafualty,  there  (hall  be  no  forfeiture  by 
reafon  thereof. 

XX«  That  the  citizens  have  a  right,  in  a  peaceable  manner,  t^  af- 
femble  together  for  their  common  good,  and  to  apply  to  thofe  in- 
vcfled  with  the  powers  of  govern inent  for  redrefs  of  grievances,  or 
pther  proper  purpofes,  by  petition,  addrefs  or  remon^lrance, 

XXI.  That  the  right  of  the  citizens  tp  bear  arms,  in  defence  of 
themfelyes  and  the  State,  fliall  not  be  <jue{lioned« 

XXII.  That  no  landing  army  (hall,  iii  time  of  peace,  be  kept 
up  without  the  confcnt  of  the  legillature  :  and  the  military  (hall,  in 
ilII  cafes,  and  at  all  times,  be  in  (lri6t  fubordination  to  the  civil 
power. 

.  XXIII.  That  no  foldjer  (l\all,  in  time  of  pc^ice,  be  qua]:tered  in. 
f  ny  houf^  without  the  confent  of  the  owner,  nor  in  time  of  war,  but 
m  a  manner  to  be  prefcribed  by  law, 

•  XXIV.  That 


OF    PENNSYLVANIA.  457 

XXrV.  That  the  legiflature  ihall  not  grant  any  title  of  nobility  op 
fiereditary  diftin6lion,  nor  create  any  office,  the  appointment  to 
iKvhich  fliall  be  for  a  longer  term  than  during  good  behaviour. 

XXV.  That  emigration  from  the  State  fhall  not  be  prohibited. 

XXVI.  To  guard  againft  tranfgreffions  of  the  high  powers  which 
y^e  have  delegated,  We  declare,  That  every  thing  in  this  article  is 
excepted  oqt  of  the  general  powers^  of  goyernii^ent.  and  ihal)  fof 
f^yer  ren^ain  inyiolate^ 

SCHEDULE. 

Tfhat  no  inconvenience  may  arife  from  the  alterations  and 
amendments  in  the  conflitution  of  this  comnnon wealth, 
and  in  order  to  carry  the  fame  into  complete  operation, 
it  is  hereby  declared  and  ordained, 
I.  Thitr  all  laws  of  this  commqnwealth,  in  force  at  the  time  of 
fnaking  the  faid  alterations  and  amendments  in  the  faid  conilitution, 
^nd  no^  inconfiftent  therewith,  and  all  rights,  actions,  profecutions,' 
claims  and  contra^s,  as  well  of  individuals  as  of  bodies  corporate^ 
ihall  coi^tii)ue  as  if  th^  faid  ^Iterations  and  amei^dnients  had  not  been 
made. 

II-  That  the  prefident  and  fupreme  executive  council  fhall  con- 
tinue  to  exercifc  the  executive  authority  of  this  commonwealth  as 
heretofore,  until  the  third  Tuefday  of  December  next ;  but  no  in- 
termediate vacancies  in  the  council  (hall  be  fupplied  by  new  ele^ions. 

III.  Th4t  all  officers  jn  the  appointment  of  the  executive  depart- 
ment ihall  continiie  |n  the  e^ercife  of  the  duties  of  their  refpe6tive 
pfiices  until  the  firft  day  of  September,  one  thouland  feven  hundred 
apd  pinety-one^  i^nlefs  their  commiffions  fliall  fooner  expire  by  their 
own  limitations,  or  the  faid  offices  become  vacant  by  death  or  re* 
fignatipn,  and  nq  longer,  unlcfs  re-appointed  and  commiilioned  by 
the  governor ;  except  that  the  judges  of  the  fupreme  court  fliall  hold 
their  offices  for  the  terms  in  their  commiffions  refpe^lively  exprefled. 

IV.  That  juftice  fliall  be  adminiflered  in  the  fevcral  counties  of 
this  State,  until  the  period  aforefaid,  by  the  fame  juflices,  in  the 
fame  courts,  and  in  the  fame  manner  as  heretofore. 

V.  That  no  perfon,  now  in  commiffion  as  flieriff,  fliall  be  cligibl^i 
at  the  next  ele^ion,  for  a  longer  term  than  will,  with  the  time 
M'hich  he  ftall  have  f^ved  in  the  faid  ofBce,  complete  the  term  of 
three  years. 

VLThat 


45$  G£N£RAI.    DESCRXPTIOK 

VL  That,  until  the  firft  enumcFation  fliall  be  made,  as  dircdcd 
in  tbc  lourth  fe^tion  of  the  fiifl  article  of  the  conflitution,  eftabliihd 
by  this  coavcntion,  the  city  of  Philadt^lph la  and  the  feveral  counties 
Jhall  be  rcfpedtively  entitled  to  elecSt  the  lani^  number  of  reprefeota* 
iives  as  is  now  prefcribed  by  law. 

VII.  That  the  firft  fenatc  fliaU  coofift  of  eighteen  members,  to  be 
choien  in  diflrids,  formed  as  follows,  to  wit :  The  city  of  Fhibh 
delphia  and  the  counties  of  Philadelphia  and  Delaware  ihallbea 
diftrid,  and  ele^  three  fenators:  the  county  of  Chefterfliall  bea 
didri^t,  and  fhall  eleift  one  fenator :  tlie  county  of  Bucks  fliall  be  a  dif*- 
fi  i£t,  and  fhall  elcdt  one  ienator :  tlie  county  of  Montgofnery  ihall 
t)e  a  diftridt,  and  fhall  eleei  one  fenator  :  the  county  of  Northanip- 
tun  fliall  be  a  diflridl,  and  fliall  ele6l  orie  fenator  :  the  counties  of 
Lancafler  and  York  fliall  be  a  diflridt,  and  fliall  eled  three  fenators: 
the  counties  of  Berks  and  Dauphin  fhall  be  a  diftri(5t,  and  fhalj  t\edi 
two  fenators:  the  counties  of  Cumberland  and  MifBin  fhall  be  a 
diflrtfl,  and  fhall  elc£t  one  fenator :  the  counties  of  Northumber- 
land, Luzerne  and  Huntingdon,  fhall  be  a  diftridi^  and  fhall  elefi 
pne  fenator:  (he  counties  of  Bedford  and  Franklin  fhall  be  a  difbi^il, 
and  fliall  eled  one  fenator ;  the  counties  of  Weflmoreland  and  AU 
Jegany  fliall  be  a  diflrie^,  and  fhall  cled  one  fenator  ;  and  the  coun« 
{icy  of  Wafliington  and  Fayette  fliall  be  a  dift|-i^9  and  (hall  ele^ 
|wo  fenators :  which  fenators  fl)aU  ferve  until  tl\e  iirfl  enumeratioQ 
before  mentioned  fhall  be  qiadc,  and  the  reprefemation  in  both 
Jioufes  of  the  legiilature  fliall  be  eflabliflied  by  law,  and  cboipn  as 
\n  the  cou&itution  is  direded.  Any  vacancjes  which  (hall  happen  io 
the  i'enate,  within  the  faid  time,  fhall  be  fupplied  as  prefcribed  in 
f  he  nineteenth  fe6tion  of  the  lirik  article. 

.  VIII.  That  the  eleftion  of  ftnatora  fhall  be  condud;ed^  a|id  dw 
returns  thereof  made  to  the  fenate,  in  the  f^me  manner  as  is  pro 
fcribed  by  the  eledion  laws  of  the  State  for  conducting  and  making 
return  of  the  eledtion  of  r^eprefentat^ves.  Io  thofe  ^ilrids,  whici 
confift  of  more  than  one  county,,  the  judges  of  the  diftri6t  ele^Uoos 
V'ithin  each  county,  after  having  formed  a  return  of  the  whole  eledion 
within  that  county,  in  fuch  manner  as  is  dire6ted  by  law,  i^ail  fend 
^e  fame,  by  pne  or  more  of  their  numberi  to  the  place  herein  i^tcr 
^iientioncd  within  the  diftrid  of  which  fuch  ,cpunty  is  a  part^  where 
^he  judges  fo  met  fhall  compare  apd  caft  up  the  feveri).  coui^ty  re- 
turns, and  execute,  under  the'u*  hands  and  ifeals,  one  general  gnd  trucf 
fctt^rn  for  the  whole  diflridt  \  that  is  to  fay,  the  judges  of  the  dii- 


I 


6lr    tfeNN*YLVA.NIA*  459 

'tria  compofcd  of  thfe  city  6f  PhiladeTphia,  and  the  counties  Of  Phi- 

iade'Iphia  ahd  Delawsife,  (hall  iileet  ia'the  Ststte-houfe  m  the  city  df 

^hiladdphta;  the  judges  of  fhc  UiftriA  compofed  of  the  eountics  of 

'Lancafter  anH  York  fliall  ineet  at  the  coutt-houfc  in  the  county  <5f 

Xancaft'er  ;  the  judges  of  the  di(lri6t  compofed  of  the  counties  df 

jBerks  and  Dauphin  ihall  nieet  At  Middletown  in^the  county  of  Berks  i 

'the  judges  of  the  diftrift  compofed  df  the  counties  of  Cumberland 

and  Mifflin  fliall  meet  in  Greenwood  townfhip,  county  of  Cuhiber- 

'land,  at  the  houfe  now  occupied  by  David  Miller;  the  judges  cif 

the  difbriA  compofed  of  the  counties  of  Northumberland,  Luzerne, 

and  Huntingdon,  (hall  meet  in  the  town  of  Sunbury ;  the  judges  of 

the  diftri^  compofed  of  the  counties  of  Bedford  and  Franklin  iliall 

meet  at  the  houfe  now  occupied  by  John  Dickey,  in  Air  townfhip, 

Bedford  county ;  the  judges  of  the  diftrict  compofed  of  the  countica 

of  Weftmoreland  and  Allegany  fliall  meet  in  Weftmoreland  county, 

at  the  court-houfe  in  the  town  of  Green fborough ;  and  the  judges  of 

the  di{lri<5l  compofed  of  the  counties  of  Wafliington  and  Fayette 

Ihall  meet  at  the  court-houfe  in  the  town  of  Wafliington,  in  Wafh* 

ington  county,  oti  the  third  Tuefday  in  Odober  refpedively  for  tli9 

purpofes  aforefaid. 

IX.  That  the  elei^ion  of  the  governor  fliall  be  condu£ted,  in  the 
feveral  counties,  in  the  manner  preicribed  by  the  laws  of  the  State 
for  the  eleftion  of  reprefentatives ;  and  the  returns  in  each  county 
(hall  be  fealed  by  the  judges  of  the  eledtions,  and  tranfmitted  to 
the  prefident  of  the  fupreme  executive  couticil,  direfted  to  the 
ipeaker  of  the  fenate,  as  foon  after  the  eledlion  as  may  be« 

Done  in  Convention  the  fecond  day  of  September,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  one  thoufand  feven  hundred  and  ninety, 
and  of  the  independence  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
the  fifteenth.    In  teftimony  whereof  we  have  hercunta 

/ubfcribed  our  names. 

THOMAS  MIFFLIN,  President. 
James  Wilson,  &c.  &c. 
Joseph  Redman,  Secretary. 
Jacob  Shalli/s,  Afliflant  Secretary. 


^Mli 


Among  other  ufcful  laws  of  this  State,  of  a  public  nature,  are, 
•nc  tfaat  declares  all  rivers  and  creeks  to  be  highways ;  a  law  for 

a  the 


460  GENERAL    DESCRIPTIOIf,    6cC. 

the  emancipation  of  negroes,  already  mentioned;  a  bankrupt Uw^* 
ne;ir)y  on  the  model  of  the  bankrupt  laws  of  England ;  and  in  thu 
year,  17949  the  leglflature  of  Penniylvania,  with  a  view  to  fofteii 
the  rigour  of  penal  law,  have  paifed  an  ad,  declaring  that  no  crime, 
except  murder  of  the  fixft  degree,  fiiaH  be  punlihed  with  death.— 
Murder  of  the  firfi  degree  it  defined  to  be,  a  killing  (fy  means  of 
poifon,  by  lying  in  wait,  or  with  6ther  kind  of  wilful,  deliberate, 
premeditated  intention,  or  which  (hall  be  committed  in  the  prepa- 
ration or  attempt  to  perpetrate  any  arfon^  /"ape,  robfceryj  6r  buri 

glary. 

All  other  kinds  of  killing  fhall  be  de6med  murder' iii  the  fecond 

degree.     The  kind  of  murder  to  be  afcertaihed  by  a  jury. 

Ferfbns  liable  to  be  profecuted  for  petit  treafon  fiiall  be  piroice^di^ 
againft  atid  piiniflied  as  in  other  cafes  of  murdef*. 

High  treafon  is  puniflied  with  confinement  id  prifbti  and  the  pent* 
tcntiary  houfe,  not  lefs  thaii  fix,  nof  mor^  than  twelve  years. 

Rape  not  lefs  than  ten,  nor  more  than  twenty>one  years. 

Murder  of  the  fecond  degree  Hot  lefs  than  five^  not  ihart  thanf 
eighteen  years. 

Forgery  not  lefs  than  four,  nor  more  than  fifteen  yeaifs,  ^ith  pay- 
ment of  a  fine  not  to  exceed  one  ihoufand  dollars* 

Manflaughter  not  lefs  than  two,  nor  more  than  ten  years,  and 
giving  fecurity  for  good  behaviour  during  life. 
-  Maiming  not  lefs  than  two,  nor  ntore  than  ten  year«,  with  a  fiAe 
not  exceeding  one  thouTand  dollars. 

Perfons  being'  charged  with  involtintiry  ntanfliugfeef,  the  attor- 
j^y-general,  with  leave  of  the  court,  may  wave  the  felony,  and  prb- 
ceed  againf!  them  as  for  a  mifdemeattor,  and  give  in  evidence  any 
a6t  of  manflaughter ;  or  the  attorney  may  charge  both  offences  itf 
the  fame  indidment,  and  the  jury  may  acquit  the  perfoti  of  one  Qt 
both. 

The  benefit  of  the  clergy  is  for  ever  abolifhcd*  • 


STATE 


(    46i     ) 


STATE    OF 


D  E  L  A  W  A  R  £• 


SITUATION,    EXTENT,    &c. 

JL  HIS  State  is  fituated  between  38®  30',  and  40*'  north  ktltude^ 
^nd  o®  and  i"^  45'  weft  longitude.  It  is  ninety-two  miles  long,  and 
twenty-four  miles  broad.  It  is  bounded  on  the  eaft,  by  the  river  and 
J)ay  of  the  fame  name,  and  the  Atlantic  ocean  j  on  the  fbuth,  by  a  line 
from  Fenwick's-ifland,  in  latitude  38**  29'  30",  drawn  weft  till  it  ia- 
ferfefts  what  is  commonly  called  the  tangent  line,  dividing  it  from 
|the  State  of  Maryland  ;  on  the  weft,  by  the  faid  tangent  line,  paf- 
ting  northward  up  the  peninfula,  till  it  touches  the  weftern  part  of 
the  territorial  circle ;  and  thence  on  the  north,  by  the  faid  circle^ 
idefcribed  with  a  radius  of  twelve  miles  about  the  town  of  Ncw- 
jcaftle. 

This  State  appears  to  have  derived  its  name  fpom  Lord  Dcla^ivar, 
yfho  completed  the  fettlement  of  Virginia.  .  . 

FACE  OF  THE  COUNTRY,  SOIL  AND  PRODUCTIONS. 

The  State  of  Delaware,  the  upper  parts  of  the  county  of  New- 
caftlc  excepted,  is,  to  fpeak  generally,  extremely  low  and  level. 
Large  quantities  of  ftagnant  water,  at  particular  feafons  of  the  year, 
overfpreading  a  great  proportion  of  the  land,  render  it  equally  unfit 
for  the  purpofes  of  agriculture,  and  injurious  to  the  health  of  the  inr 
habitants.  The  fpine,  or  higheft  ridge  of  the  peninfula,  runs 
through  the  Stare  of  Delaware,  inclined  to  the  eaftern  or  Delaware 
fide.  It  is  defigpated  in  SufTex,  Kent,  and  part  of  Newcaftle  county, 
by  a  remarkable  chain  of  fwamps,  from  which  the  waters  defcend  on 
each  (ide,  pafling  on  the  eaft  to  the  Delaware,  and  on  the  weft  to  the 
Chefapeak.  Many  of  the  flirubs  and  plants  growing  in  thefc  fxyamps 
arefimilar  to  thofe  found  on  the  higheft  mountains. 

Delaware  is  chiefly  an  agricultural  State.  It  includes  a  very  fertile 
tra6l  of  country ;  and  fcarcely  any  part  of  the  Union  can  be  fele^lod 
piore  adapted  to  the  different  purpofes  of  agriculture,  or  in  which  a 

greater 


462  genehal  description 

g^reater  variety  of  the  moft  ufcful  produdions  can  be  £0  conveniently 
and  plentifully  reared.  The  foil  along  the  Delaware  river,  and 
from  eight  to  ten  miles  into  the  interior  country,  is  generally  a  ricH 
clay,  producing  large  timber,  and  well  adapted  to  the  various  pur^ 
pofes  of  agriculture.  From  thence  to  the  fwamps  above  mentionei 
ihe  foil  is  light,  fandy,  and  of  an  inferior  quality. 

The  general  afpe^  of  the  country  is  very  fevourable  forcultiva^ 
tioD.  Excepting  fome  of  the  upper  parts  of  the  county  of  NewcaiUC| 
the  furface  of  the  State  13  very  little  broken  or  irregular.  The 
heights  of  Chriflian;^  are  lofty  and  commanding ;  fome  of  the  hills  of 
Brandy  wine  are  rough  and  flony ;  but  defcending  froip  tbefe,  ajad  ^  ' 
few'TOthers,  the  lower  country  is  fo  little  diverfifie4  as  ^naofl  to  foiin 
one  extended  plain.  Ij^  the  county  of  Newc^e^  thfi  foil  confifts  of  ^ 
firong  clay ;  in  Kent,  there  is  a  confiderable  mixture  of  f^nd ;  an4 
in  Suflex,  the  quantity  of  iand  altogether  p^redominate^.  A^keat  is 
the  flaple  of  this  State:  it  grows  here  in  fuch  perfe^ion  as  noC 
ixdy  to  be  particularly  fought  by  the  manufa^urers  of  iour  through? 
jcmt  the  Union,  but  alio  to  be  difiinguiihed  and  preferred,  for  its  fur 
pcrior  qualities,  in  foreign  markets.  This  wheat  poiSbifes  .an  uncomr 
IDOO  foftnefs  and  whitenefs,  sxry.  favourable  to  the  manufadlure  of 
fuperfine  flour,  and  in  other  refpe^ls  far  exceeds  the  hard  and  flinty 
grains  raifed  in  general  on  the  high  lands.  Beiides  wheat,  this  State 
generally  produces  plentiful  crops  of  Indian  corn,,  barley,  rye,  oats^ 
^x,  buck-wheat,  and  potatoes.  It  likewife  abounds  in  natural  and  ar- 
tificial meadows,  containing  a  large  variety  of  gralTes.  Hemp, 
cotton,  and  filk,  if  properly  attended  to,  doubtlefs.  would  flourifh 
very  well. 

The  eaj^ern  fide  of  the  State  is  indented  with  a  large  number  of 
creeks,  or  finall  rivers,  which  generally  have  a  fiiuort  courfe,  oUr 
mcrous  flioals  and  foft  banks,  fliirted  with  very  extenfiye  marfiies^ 
aiud  empty  into  the  river  and  bay  of  Delaware.  In  the  fouthern  and 
wcftern  parts  of  this  State  fpring  the  head  waters  of  Pocomoke^ 
Wiconftico,  Nanticoke,  Choptacjc,  Chefter,  SafTafras,  j^n^  Bohemwi 
rivers,  all  falling  into  Chefapeak  bay,  and  fome  of  thefn  navj" 
gable  twenty  or  thirty  miles  into  the  country,  fojf  yeffels  of  fifty  qr 
fixty  tons. 

The  county  of  Suflex,  befi4es  producing  a  co^fiderable  q\|antity 
of  grain,  particularly  of  Indian  corn,  poflelfes  excellent  grazing 
lands.  This  county  alfo  exports  very  large  quantities  of  lumber,  o^ 
tained  chiefly  from  an  extenfive  fwamp,  Quilled  ^  luiiiam  Rkftr  9f 


OF    DELAWARE,  463 

Cyprefs  Swamps  lying  partly  within  this  State,  and  partly  m  the 
State  of  Maryland.  This  morars  extends  fix  miles  from  eafl  to  weA^ 
and  nearly  twelve  from  north  to  fouth,  including  an  area  of  nearly 
fifty  thoufand  acres  of  land.  The  whole  of  this  fwamp  is  a  high  ami 
level  bafon,  very  wet,  though  undoubtedly  the  higheft  land  between 
the  fea  and  the  bay,  whence  the  Pocomoke  defcends  on  one  fide,  and 
Indian  riv^r  and  St.  Martin's  on  the  other.  This  fwamp  contains  « 
^reat  variety  of  plants,  trees,  wild  beads,  birds,  and  reptiles. 

In  the  county  of  SufTex,  among  the  branches  of  the  Nantlcokc 
river,  large  quantities  of  bog  iron  ore  are  to  be  found.     Before  the 
revolution,  this  ore  was  worked  to  a  condderable  extent ;  it  waft 
thought  to  be  of  a  good  quality,  and  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  puiv. 
pofes  of  callings*    Thefe  works  have  chiefly  fallen  into  decay. 

CIVIL  DIVISIONS. 

This  State  is  divided  into  three  counties,  viz?Newcaftle,  Kent, 
mnd  SufTex,  which  are  fubdivided  into  hundreds. 

Before  the  revolution  this  diftrid  of  country  was  denominated^ 
••  7 be  three  l(rwer  Counties.''^  • 

CHIEF    TOWNS. 

DOVER. 

Dover,  in  the  county  of  Kent,  is  the  feat  of  government.  It  lfan<& 
'^n  Joftes^s  creek,  a  few  miles  from  the  Delaware  river,  and  coniifts  qS 
about  one  hundred  hoi»fes,  princijpally  of  brick.  Four  flreets  inter- 
ie£t  each  other  at  right  angles,  whofe  incidencies  form  a  fpacious* 
parade,  on  the  ea ft  fide  of  which  is  an  elegant  Cate-houfe  of  brick* 
'The  t<jwn  has  a  lively  appearance^  and  drives  on  a  confiderable  trade 
'•with  Philadelphia.  Wheat  is  the  principal  article  of  export.  Tfe 
'iKiding'  is  five  or  fix  miles  from  the  town  of  Dover. 

NEWCASTLE. 

Thitf  town  is  thirty-five  miles  below  Philadelphia,  on  thcv^eft  banfc 
kff  Delaware  river.  It  was  firft  fettled  by  the  Swedes,  about  the  year- 
'  ^i7,and  called  Stockholm  ;  it  was  afterwards  taken  by  the  Dutch^ 
^d  called  New Amfterdamv-  When  it  fell  into  the  hands  of  theEnglifh^ 
'ft  was 'called  by  its  pfefent  name.  It  contains  about*  fixty  houfes^, 
tWKch  have  the  afpeft  of  decay ;  it  was  formerly  the  feat  of  go- 
«^|trnniei^)"and  ^^as  the  firft  town  fettled  on  Delaware  river.  ^ 


4^4 


General  r>zsckiTrioii 


wrtMINGTON. 

'WilmiDgton  is  fihiatfed  a  mile  arid  a  half  weft  of  Delaware  rmr;  H 
Chriftiana  creek,  twenty-eight  rtiiles  foutbv^ard  of  Philadelphia.  Iti 
BDUch  thehrgeft  and  pleafanteft  town  in  the  State,  Contafningupwardi 
of  four  hundred  houfes,  which  are  handfomely  built  upon  tht  gefitk 
irfcent  of  an  eminence,  and  (how  td  great  advantage  ai  you  fslil  op 
the  Delaware ;  it  contains  about  two  thoufand  four  hunded  iohabif* 
taats.    In  this  town  are  two  Prelbyterian  churches,  a  Swedifli  Epif- 
copal  church,  a  Baptid,  and  a  Quaker  meetings  and  a  few  Method 
4ifts.  There  is  alfo  a  fioyriftiing  academy  of  about  forty  or  fifty  fchoi 
hrs,  who  are  taught  the  languages,  and  fome  of  the  fctences.    TTiii 
academy,  in  proper  time,  i*  intended  to  be  erected  into  a  college; 
There  is  another  academy  at  Newark  in  this  county,  which  Was  in- 
corporated in    1769.      Thefe  academies  wefe   interrupted   during 
jthe  war,  and  their  funds  ruined  by  the  depreciation  of  continental 
paper  money.     Since  the  peace  learning  feems  to  revive  and  fiouriihl 

MILFORD. 

Mflford  is  fituated  at  the  fource  of  a  fmall  river,  fifteen  miles  from 
Delaware  bay,  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  fouthward  of  Philadelphia. 
This  town,  which  contains  about  eighty  houfes,  has  been  builtj 
except  one  hcufe,  ilnce  the  revolution ;  it  is  laid  out  with  much  good 
tafle,  and  is  by  no  means  difagreeable.  The  inhabitants  are  Epifco^ 
palians,  Quakers,  and  Methodifls. 

X>t;C&  CREEK   CROSS  ROAD^ 

Is  twelve  miles  north-weft  from  Dover,  and  has  eighty  or  ninety 
tioufes,  which  fland  on  one  flreet.  It  carries  on  a  confiderable  trade 
with  Philadelphia,  and  is  one  of  the  largeft  wheat  markets  la  the 
State.    Kent  is  alfo  a  place  of  confiderable  trader 


LEWES 


Is  fituated  a  few  miles  above  the  light-houfe  on  Cape  Henfopea; 
it  contains  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  houfes,  built  chiefly  on  lb 
itreet,  which  is  more  than  three  miles  in  length,  and  extending  along- 
a  creek  which  feparates  the  town  from  the  pitch  of  the  cape*  The 
iituation  is  high,  and  commands  a  full  prof|)e6l:  of  the  light*40il& 
and  the  fca.  The  court-houfe  and  gaol  are  commodious  building 
and  give  an  air  of  importance  to  the  town.   The  fituation  ef  tih 


OP   DELAWARE.  465 

}>lace  tnufi  at  fome  future  time  render  it  confidcrabty  importaot. 
f  laced  at  the  eotrance  of  a  bay,  which  is  crowded  with  veflcti  from  alt 
parts  of  the  world,  and  which  is  frequently  dofed  with  ice  a  part  of 
the  winter  feafon,  neceflity  fee|n>  to  require,  and  nature  feema  to 
fuggeft,  the  forming  this  port  into  a  harbour  forlhipping.  Nothing 
hai  preveDted  this  heretofore  but  the  deficiency  of  water  til  the  creek. 
This  want  can  be  cheaply  and  eafily  fupplied  by  a  fmall  canal,  Jb  as 
to  afibrd  a  palTage  for  the  waters  of  Rehoboth  into  Lewea  creek* 
which  would  enfure  an  adequate  fupply.  The  circumjaceot  country 
U  beautifully  diverfified  with  hills,  wood,  Hreams,  and  lakes,  form- 
ing an  agreeable  contra'ft  to  the  naked  fandy  beach,  which  ter- 
minates ia  the  cape ;  but  it  is  greatly  iofeHed  with  mulketoes  and 
bad  flies. 


POPULATION, 
The  popuktion  of  Delaware,  in  the  fummer  of  1767,  was  reck- 
bncd  at  thirty-feven  thouland,  which  is  about  twenty-fix  for  every 
iquare  mile,  according  to  the  cenfus  of  1790  it  was  as  follows: 


h 

1 
1 

i 

J 

COUNTIES. 

?-; 

i 

11. 

1" 

15 

i 

< 

1 

Newcaftle 

Kent 

SuiTex 

3973 

3!oi 
410; 

*!47 
34'? 
3929 

7767I  639 
68781570 

7739;  '90 

.56. 

2jOO 

4015 

19686 
18920 

2Q48ii 

.■,83 

■  2143 

"38+38  ,9 

RS8; 

59094 

If  the  poitulation  of  this  State  has  increafed  iioee  1790,  in  a  like 
proportion,  its  pivfeht  population  muft  be  upwards  of  ofie  hundred 


RELIGION; 

In  this  State  there  19  a  variety  of  religious  denominations.  Of  the 
trclbyterian  fefl,  there  are  twenty- four  churches  j  of  the  Epifcopal, 
fourteen  ;  of  the  Baptift,  feven ;  of  the  Methodifl,  a  confidcrablfl 
lilimbert  efpeclally  in  the  two  lowercountiesof  Kent  and  SiifleXytiie 
number  of  their  churches  is  not  exaftly  afcertained.  BeCdes  thefe, 
there  is  a  Swedifh  church  at  WilmiugCoti,  which  is  one  af  the  oldeft 

Vol.  J'.  3  O  churchet 


^^66  GENERAL    D£SCftI?'flOM 

churches  in  the  United  States.  With  refpeft  to  the  character  of  fM 
people  of  thn  State,  there  is  no  obvious  diflin6tion  between  them 
and  the  Pennfylvanians* 

TRADE  AliD  MANUFACTURES. 

We  liave  already  mentioned  wheat  as  the  ftaplc  commodity  of  thii 
State.     This  is  inanufa<5lured  into  flour  and  exported  in  large  quan- 
tities.    The  exports  from  the  port  of  Wilming^o*!,  where  a  numbrf 
of  fquare-rigged  vclTcls  Are  owned,  for  the  year  1786,  in  the  article 
of  flour,  was  twenty  thoufand  feven  hundred  and  eighty-three  bar^ 
rcis  fuperfrne ;  four  hundred  and  fifty-fevcn  ditto  common  ;  two  hun*' 
dred  and  fifty-fix  ditto  middlings ;  and  three  hundred  and  forty-fix 
ditto  fliip  iluff.      The  manufacture  of  flour  is  carried  to  a  higher  dc^ 
gree  of  pcrfeftion  in  this  State,  than  in  any  others  in  the  Union. 
Ecfides  the  well-conftruded  mills  on  Red  Clay  and  White  Clay  creeks, 
and  other  dreams  in  different  parts  of  the  State,  the  celebrated  col- 
let^ioii  of  mills  at  Brandywine  merit  a  particular  defcription.     Hert 
are  to  be  fcen,  at  one  view,  twelve  merchant  mills  (befide^  a  faw 
n/ill)  which  have  double  that  number  of  pairs  of  flones^  all  of  fu- 
perior  dimcnfions,  and  excellent  conftrudlion.     Thefe  mills  arc  jhrcc 
miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  creeks  on  which  they  ftand,  half  a  mile 
from  Wilmington,  and  twenty-feven  from  Philadelphia^  on  the  poft 
road  from  the  eaftern  to  the  fouthern  States.     They  are  called  tbo 
Brandywine  mills,    from  the  ftream   on  whiclv  they  are   ereftcd. 
This  flream  rii'es  near  the  Welch  mountains  in  Pennfylvania,  and  af- 
ter a  winding  courfe  of  thirty  or  forty  miles  dirough  falls,  which 
furnifii  numerous  feats  (one  hundred  and  thirty  of  which  are  already 
occupied)  for  every  fpcTcies  of  water  works,  empties  into  Chri'flnto^ 
creek,  near  Wilmington.     The  quantity  of  wheat  manufactured  at 
fliefe  mills  annually  is  not  accurately  afcertained :    it  is  eftimatcd, 
however,  [)y  the  bed  informed  on  the  Aibjci^,  that  thefe  mills  can 
.  grinxl  four  hundred  thoullind  bufhels  in  a  year.     Bat  although  they 
aie  capable  of  manufudturing  this  quantity  yearly,  yet,  from  the  dif^ 
ficulty  of  procuring  a  permanent  fnpply  of  grain,  the  inilability  of 
the  flour-market,  and  other  circumllances,  there  are  not  commonly 
more  than  from  about  two  hundred  and  ninety  to  three  hundred 
thoufand  buflids  of  wheat  and  corn  manufactured  here  annually.  In 
the  fall  of  1789,  and  fpring  of  1790,  there  were  made  at  the  Bran- 
dywine mills  fifty  thoufand  barrels  of  fuperfine  flour,  one  thoufand 
fniec  hundred  and  fifty-four  ditto  of  common,  four  hundred  dinoi 
'2  uiddlm^ 


OF    DELAWARE,  ^7 

fntddlings,  as  many  of  Ihip  fluff,  and  two  tboufand  ditto  corn  meal. 
The  quantity  of  wheat  and  corn  ground,  (From  which  this  flour,  &c. 
was  made,  was  three  hundred  and  eight  thoiifand  bufhels^  equal  to  the 
epcport  in  thofe  articles  from  the  pprt  of  Philadelphia  fqr  the  fame  ycai*. 
Thefe  mills  give  employment  to  about  two  hundred  perfons,  viz^ 
about  forty  to  tend  the  mills,  from  fifty  to  feventy  coopers,  to  make 
icaiks  for  the  flour,  a  fufficijsnt  number  to  man  twelve  (loops,  of  about 
thirty  tons  each,  which  are;  employed  in  tfie  tr4nfpprtation  of  the 
wheat  and  flour,  the  reft  in  various  other  occupations  connected 
with  the  mills,     fhe  navigation  quite  to  thefe  mi!|s  is  fuch^  that  a 
"vcflel  carrying  one  thoufand  buftiels  of  wheat  m^iy  be  laid  along  fide 
of  any  of  thefe  ipills ;  and  belide  fome  of  them  the  water  is  of  fuf- 
ficient  depth  to  admit  veffels  of  twice  the  above  (ize.     The  vefTels 
are  unloaded  with  aftonifliing  exppditioiv    There  have  been  in- 
ilances  of  one  thoufand  buftieb  being  carried  to  the  height  of  four 
ilories  in  four  hours.     It  is  frequently  the  cafe,  that  vefTcls  with  oae 
thoufand  bufliels  of  wheat  cpme  up  with  flood  tide^  unlade,  and 
go  away  the  fucceeding  ebb,  with  three  hundred  barrels  of  flopr  on 
board.     In  confequence  of  the  machines  introduced  by  the  ingenious 
Mr,  Oliver  Evans,  three  quarters  of  the  manual  labour  before  found 
neceflary  is  no\v  fufficient  for  every  purpofe.      By  means  of  thefe 
niachines,  when  made  ufe  of  in  the  full  extent  propofed  by  the  in- 
yentor,  the  wheat  will  be  received  on  the  fliallop's  deck,  thence  car- 
ried to  the  upper  loft  of  the  mill,  and  a  confiderable  portion  of  the 
fame  returned  in  flour  on  the  lower  floor,  ready  for  packing,  without 
the  afliftance  of  manual  labour  but  in  a  very  fmall  degree,  in  pro* 
portion  to  the  bufinefs  done.     The  tranfportation  of  flour  from  thefe 
mills  to  the  port  of  Wilmington  docs  not  require  half  an  hour ;  an4 
it  is  frequently  the  cafe,  that  ^  cargo  is  tak^n  from  the  mills  and  de- 
livered at  Philadelphia  th^  fame  day.    The  fituation  of  thefe  mills  k? 
very  pleafant  and  healthful.     The  firft  mill  was  built  here  about  fifty 
years  fince.    There  is  now  a  fmall  town  of  forty  ho.ufcs,  principally 
flone  and  brick,  which,  together  with  the  mills  and  the  veflels  load* 
ang  and  unloading  befid^  them,  fumi{b  a  charming^  profped  from  the 
bridge,  from  whence  they  are  all  in  full  vjew. 

Befides  the  wheat  and  flour  trade,  this  State  exports  lumber  and 
various  other  articles.  The  amount  of  exports  for  the  year  ending 
September  30,  .1791,  was  one  hundred  and  ninety-nine  thoUfan4 
fight  hundred  and  forty  dollars. 

3O?  ?VBJ4Q 


46& 


pEVTERAX    DESCRIPTIQ1$ 


PUBUC  IMPROVEMINTS. 

BKIDGE89   &.C. 

Juft  beforethe  commencemeot  of  the  war,  a  work  of  confiderablft 

« 

imporrance  was  begun  at  Lewei,  in  the  fouthern  part  of  the  State, 
viz.  the  ere^ion  of  a  bridge  and  caufeway  from  the  town»  over  the 
creek  and  marfli  to  the  oppoiite'cape.    This  expenfive  worl^  was 
juft  completed  when  the  Bridih  (hips  firil  came  into  the  road  d 
Lewes.   In  order  to  prevent  too  eafy  a  communication,  they  partiallj 
removed  it ;  and  it  being  afterwards  negle^ed,  it  was  in  complete 
ruins  at  the  clofe  of  the  war.    A  bridge,  upon  the  fame  plan,  bat 
upon  a  new  foundation,  has  lately  been  ereded  at  the  fole  expenfe 
of  individuals :  it  extends  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  town 
to  the  beach,  over  a  wide  creek  and  marlh.    The  inhabitants  ait 
compenfated  for  their  expenfe  by  the  fecility  of  the  communioh 
tion  between  the  town  and  the  cape. 

Several  canals  in  different  parts  of  this  State  are  contemplated,  one 
of  which  is  down  the  waters  of  the  Brandy  wine* 


LIGHT-HOUSE* 

The  ligfat-houfe^  near  the  town  of  Lewes,  was  burnt  in  1777, 
Since  the  war  it  has  been  completed  and  handipmely  repaired.  It  is 
a  fine  fione  flru6lure,  eight  flories  high ;  the  annual  expence  ok 
which  is  eitimated  at  about  fix  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  currency. 

CONSTITUTION, 

DECLARATION   OF   XICHTS. 

L  That  all  government  of  right  originates  from  the  people,  11 
founded  in  compa^  only,  and  inflituted  folely  for  ^e  good  of  die 
whole. 

II.  That  all  men  have  a  natural  and  unalienable  right  to  worfhip 
Almighty  God  according  to  the  didbtes  of  their  ownxonfciences  and 
underftandings ;  and  that  no  man  ought,  or  of  right  can  be  com* 
pelled  to  attend  any  religious  worfhip,  or  maintain  any  miniihy,  con- 
tlrary  to  or  agamfl  his  own  free  will  and  confent ;  and  that  no  autho- 
riry  can  or  oiight  to  be  vefled  in,  or  aiTumed  by  any  power  whatevOi 
that  fliall  in  any  cafe  interfiere  with,  or  in  any  manner  controul,  the 
right  of  confcience,  in  the  free  exercife  of  religious  worfhip. 

-'  ^  IlL  That 


OF    Df^LAWAUE.'  469 

TIL  That  all  perfons  profeffing  the  Chriftian  religion  ought  for 
^ver  to  enjoy  equal  rights  and  privileges  in  this  State,  unlefs  under 
colour  of  religion  any  man  difturt>  the  peace,  the  happinefs  or  fafetj 
of  fociety. 

IV.  That  the  people  of  this  State  have  the  fole,  exclusive,  ancj 
inherent  right  of  governing  and  regulating  the  internal  police  of  the 
iaitie* 

V.  That  p«fons  intrufted  with  the  legiflative  and  executive  pow- 
ders are  the  truftecs  and  fervants  of  the  pub(ic,  and  as  fuch  account^ 
able  for  their  copdui^ ;  wherefore,  whenever  the  ends  of  govern* 
ment  are  perverted,  and  public  liberty  manifeftly  endangered  by  the 
|cgi(tetive  iingly,  or  9  treacherous  combination  of  both,  the  people 

pay,  and  of  right  ought  to  eilablifii  a  ne\^,  or  reform  the  old  Go* 

veroment. 

yi.  That  the  right  in  the  people  to  participate  in  the  Jegiflature 
is  the  foundation  of  liberty  and  of  all  free  government ;  and  for  this 
end  ail  eledtions^  ought  to  be  free  and  frequent,  and  cytty  freeman 
(laving  fufficient  evidence  of  a  permanent  comnrion  intereft  with,  and 
attachment  to  the  community,  hs^th  a  right  of  fuffiage. 

VII.  That  no  power  of  fufpending  laws,  or  the  execution  of  laws, 
ought  to  be  exercifed,  unlefs  by  the  legiflature. 

VIII.  That  for  redrefs  of  grievances,  and  for  amending  and 
^rcitgthening  of  the  laws,  the  legiflature  ought  to  be  frequently  con- 
vened* 

IX.  That  every  man  hath  a  right  to  petition  the  legiflatijre  for  the 
redrefs  of  grievances,  in  a  peaceable  and  orderly  manner. 

X.  That  every  member  of  fociety  hath  a  right  to  be  prote^ked  in 
the  enjoyment  of  life^  liberty,  and  property,  and  therefore  is  bound 
tfo  contribute  his  proportion  towards  the  cxpenfe  of  that  protections 
and  yield  his  perfonal  fervicc  when  neccflbry,  or  an  equivalent  there- 
to ;  but  no  part  of  a  man's  property  can  be  j  uftly  taken  from  him, 
or  applied  to  public  ufes,  without  his  own  confent,  or  that  of  his 
legal  reprefentativcs  : .  nor  can  any  man  that  is  confcientiouily  fcru- 
pulous  of  bearing  arms^  in  any  cafe  be  j  uftly  compelled  thereto,  if 
he  will  pay  fuch  equivalent. 

XI.  That  retrofpedlive  laws  punifhing  ofF<:nces  committed  before 
tjie  exigence  of  fuch  laws,  are  oppreilive  and  unjufl,  and  ought  not 
to  be  made. 

i  •         •  • 

XII.  That  every  freeman,  for  every  injury  done  him  in  his  .goods^ 
|uids,  ©r  perfon,  by  any  other  perfon^  ought  to  have  remedy  by  the 

'       '  -  courfe 


470  GENERAL    DESCRIFTION  I 

courfe  of  the  law  of  the  land,  and  ought  to  have  juftkeandiiglitb  I  ^  f^; 
the  injury  done  to  him^  freely  without  fate,  fully  without  any  deu^  I  ^^^f 
tnd  fpeedily  without  delay,  according  to  the  law  of  the  land.      ■    j  ^ 

XIII.  That  trial  by  jury  of  fads  where  they  arife,  is  oocrfi  ■  u  ^ 
grentcfl  fecurities  of  the  lives,  liberties,  and  eftates  of  tbepcopk.   ■  ^^^j 

XIV.  'J^hat  in  all  proiecutions  fur  criminal  offences,  eroy  ■>  ■  q 
hath  a  right  to  be  informed  of  the  accufation  againft  hinot  ^^^  ■  Thiy 
lowed  counfel,  to  be  confronted  with  the  accufen  or  witfiefatt  ■  t^^^ 
examine  evidence  on  oath  in  his  favour,  and  to  a  fpeedy  tml^  ■  .  {j^ 
an  impartial  jury,  without  whofe  unanm)0U9 confent  he  ot)^tiK^^  ■  ^q^ 
t>e  found  guilty.  Hbec! 

XV.  That  no  man  in  the  courts  of  comoioa  taw  oug^ttokl^,,; 
compelled  to  give  evider^ce  againft  himfelf.  M  ^ 

XVI.  That  exceffivc  bail  ought  not  to  be  required,  nocexcdhlMi 
fines  impofed,  nor  cruel  or  unufual  puniQunents  in^i&ed.  ■ 

XVII.  T^at  all  warrants  without  oath  to  fearcb  fufpeded  p^^ 
or  to  ieize  any  perfon  or  his  property,  aie  grievous  and  oppreffi^S 
and  all  general  warrants  to  feafch  fufpeded  places,  or  to  apprcbo^V 
all  j>erfons  fui'pectcd,  without  naming  or  deicribing  the  place  or  «!■ 
peifo!)  in  I'pecial,  4re  illegal  and  ought  nqt  to  bp  granted.  1 

XV II I.  That  a  well-regulated  militia  is  the  proper,  natural,  aril 
fafe  defence  of  a  free  Government,  1 

XIX.  That  {landing  armies  are  dangerous  to  liberty,  and  oojjte  | 
not  to  be  rarfed  or  kept  up  without  the  confent  of  the  legiflaturc.      I 

XX.  That  in  all  cafes  and  at  all  times  the  military  o\ight  to  be 
under  ftri<j^  fubordlnatiqn  to,  and  governed  by,  the  civil  power. 

XXI.  That  nq  foldicr  ought  to  be  quartered  in  any  houfe  in  tin« 
fif  peace,  without  the  confent  of  the  pwner  ;  ap4  iti  time  of  war,  it 
fuch  manner  only  as  the  legiflature  fliall  direct. 

XXII.  That  the  independency  apd  uprightncfs  of  judges  are  ct 
fential  to  the  impartial  adminiflration  of  juftice,  and  a  great  fecuritj 
to  the  rights  and  liberties  of  the  people. 

XXIII.  That  the  liberty  of  the  prefs  ougljt  tp  \)e  inviolably  prci 
ferved, 

FRAME   OP   GOVERNMENT. 

.  Agreed  to  and  refolved  upon  by  the  Reprefentativei  in  full  Coiii 
▼;intion  of  the  Delaware  State,  formerly  flyled,  "  The  GovemcneDt 
of  the  Counties  of  I^ewcallle,  Kent,  ^qd  Sui{ex>  upon  Delaware ;" 


0#   DELAWARE/  471 

ftK  faid  Reprefentatives  being  cbofen  by  the  freemen  of  the  faid 
State  for  that  exprefs  purpofe. 

I.  The  Government  of  the  counties  of  Newcaftle,  Kent  and  Suf- 
fexy  upon  Delaware,  iliail  hereafter  in  all  public  and  other  writings 
be  called,  The  Delaware  State. 

II.  The  legiflatdre  fliall  be  formed  of  two  diftind  branches. 
Th«y  (hall  meet  once  or  ofteaer  in  every  ^ear,  and  fliall  be  called, 
The  General  Assembly  of  Delaware, 

•  III.  One  of  the  branches  of  the  legiflatwre  fliall  be  called,  The 
House  of  Assembly,  and  fhall  confift  of  feven  Reprefentatives  tor 
be  chofen  for  each  county  annually,  of  fuch  pejfons  as  are  free- 
holders of  the  fame. 

IV.  The  other  branch  ihall  be  called,  The  Council,  and  con« 
fift  of  nine  membiers  j  three  to  be  chofen  for  each  county  at  the 
time  of  the  firft  election  of  the  Aflembly,  who  fliall  be  freeholders  of 
the  county  for  which  they  are  chofen,  and  be  upwards  of  twenty- 
five  years  of  age.  At  the  end  of  one  year  after  the  gerteral  eleftion, 
the  Counfellor  who  had  the  fmallcft  number  of  votes  in  each  county 
fliall  be  difplaced,  and  the  vacancies  thereby  occationed  fupplied  by 
the  freemen  of  each  coimty  chooiing  the  fame  or  another  perfon  at 
a  new  eledion  in  manner  aforefaid.  At  the  end  of  two  years  after 
the  firft  general  eleftion,  the  Counfellor  who  flood  fecoud  in  number 
of  votes  in  each  county  (hall  be  difplaced,  and  the  vacancies  thereby 
occafioned  fupplied  by  a  new  election  in  manner  aforefaifl.  And  at 
the  end  of  three  years  from  the  firfl  general  eledion,  the  Counfel- 
lor who  had  the  greateft  number  of  votes  in  each  county  fliall  be  difr 
placed,  and  the  vacancies  thereby  occafioned  fupplied  by  a  new  elec- 
tion in  manner  aforefaid.  And  this  rotation  of  a  Counfellor  being 
difplaced  at  the  end  of  three  years  in  each  county,  and  his  ofKce  fup* 
plied  by  a  new  choice,  fhall  be  continued  afterwards  in  due  order  an- 
nually for  ever,  ivhereby,  after  the  firft  general  election,  a  Couii- 
l^llor  will  remain  in  trufl  for  three  years  from  the  time  of  his  being 
t\c6tcdy  and  a  Counfellor  will  be  difplaced,  and  the  fame  or  another 
chofen  in  each  eounty  at  every  eledlion. 

V.  The  right  of  fuffrage  in  the  election  of  members  for  both 
Houfcs  (liall  remain  as  exercifed  by  law  at  prefent ;  and  each  Houfe 
fliall  choofc  its  own  Speaker,  appoint  its  oVn  officers,  judge  of.  the 
<^iialifi cations  and  ele^ions  of  its  owii  members,  fettle  its  own  rules, 
of  proceeding,  and  dir«£t  writs  of  .election  for  fupplying  interme- 
diate vacancies.     They  may  alfo  feverally  expel  any  of  their  owa 

jmcmbers 


K* 


472  GENSRAL    DESCRIPTION 

membei^  for  mi(behaviour,  but  not  a  fecond  time  in  the  fame  fe&}nS 
for  the  lame  offence,  if  re-ele6ied  ;  and  they  (hall  have  all  othct 
powers  neceflary  for  the  Icgiilaturc  of  a  free  and  independent  State. 

VL  AH  money-bills  for  the  fupport  of  GoTernment  iliall  origi- 
nate irt  the  Houfe  of  AfTembly,  and  may  be  altered,  amended  or 
rejected  by  the  Legiflative  Council*  All  other  bills  and  ordinances 
may  take  rife  in  the  Houfe  of  Aifembly  or  Legiilativc  Council,  ind 
may  be  altered,  amended  or  rtjefted  by  cither, 

VII.  A  prefidetit  or  chief  magiflrate  fliall  be  chofen  by  joint  bat 
lot  of  both  Houf«s,  to  be  taken  in  the  Houfe  of  Aflembly,  and  the 
box  examined  by  the  Speakers  of  ecch  Houfe  in  the  prefence  of  the 
other  members ;   and  in  cafe  the  numbers  for  the  two  higheft  ia 
'votes  fhould  be  equal,  then  the  fpeaker  of  the  council  fhall  have  an 
additional  calling  voice,  and  the  appointment  of  the  perfori  who  has 
the  majority  of  votes  fhall  be  entered  at  large  on  the  minutes  and 
journals  of  each  Houfe ;  and  a  copy  thereof  on  parchment,  certified 
and  figned  by  the  fpeakers  refpeftively,  and  fealed  with  the  great 
feal  of  the  State,  which  they  arc  hereby  authorifed  to  affix,  fhall  be 
delivered  to  the  perfon  fo  chofen  prelident,  who  fliall  continue  in  that 
office  three  years,  and  until  the  fitting  of  the  next  General  Aflemblj^ 
.  and  no  longer,  nor  be  eligible  until  the  expiration  of  three  years  af« 
ter  he  fliall  have  been  out  of  that  office.    An  adequate  but  moderate 
falary  fliall  be  fettled  on  him  during  his  continuance  in  office.    He, 
may  draw  for  fuch  fums  of  money  as  fhall  be  appropriated  by  the 
General  Aifembly,  and  be  accountable  to  thera  for  the  fame.     He 
may,  by  and  with  the  advice  of  the  Privy-council,  lay  embargoes  or 
prohibit  the  exportation  of  any  commodity  for  any  time  not  exceed- 
ing thirty  days,  in  the  recefs  of  the  General  Aifembly.  .  He  fhall 
have  the  power  of  granting  pardons  or  reprieves,  except  where  the 
profccution  fliall  be  carried  on  by  thcHoiifeof  AfTembly,  or  the 
law  fliall  otherwife  direct ;  in  which  cafes  no  pardon  or  reprieve 
fhall  be  granted,  but  by  a  rcfolve  of  the  Houfe  of  Aflembly ; '  and 
may  exercife  all  the  other  executive  powers  of  government,  limited 
and  reflrained  as  by  this  conflitution  is  mentioned,  axid  according  to 
the  laws  of  the  State.     And  on  his  death,  inabUity,  or  ^fence  from 
the  State,  the  fpeaker  of  the  Legiflative  Council  for  the  time  beiojg 
fliall  be  vice-prefldent ;  and  in  cafe  of  his  deaths  inabilit3r,  or  ah* 
fence  from  the  State,  the  fpeaker  of  the  Houfe  of  AflTembly  fhaU 
have  the  powers  of  a  prefident,  until  a  new  nomination  is  made  by 
the  General  Aflembly. 

vni.  A 


OF    DELAWARI,  4^3 

VIII.  A  privy-coiincil  confiftbg  of  four  members  fhall  be  chofen 
by  ballot,  two  by  the  LegjUative  Council,  and  two  by  the  Houfe  of 
AiTcipbly  :  provided,  that  no  regular  officer  of  the  army  or  navy  in 
the  fervice  and  pay  of  the  Continent,  or  of  this  or  of  any  other 
State,  fliall  be  eligible.  And  a  member  of  the  Legiilative  Council 
or  of  the  Houfe  of  Aflembly  being  chofen  of  the  privy  council,  and 
accepting  thereof,  fhall  thereby  lofe  his  feat.  Three  members  (hall 
be  a  quorum,  and  their  advice  and  proceedings  fliall  be  entered  <^ 
record,  and  iigned  by  the  members  prefent,  (to  any  part  of  which 
any  member  may  enter  his  diflcnt)  to  be  laid  before  the  General 
AfTembly,  when  called  for  by  them.  Two  members  fhall  be  re- 
moved by  ballot,  one  by  the  Legiflative  Council,  and  one  by  the 
Jloufe  of  Aflembly,  at  the  end  of  two  years,  and  thofe  who  remain 
the  next  year  after,  who  fliall  feverally  be  ineligible  for  the  three 
•next  years.  Thefe  vacancies,  as  well  as  thofe  occafioned  by  death 
or  incapacity,  fliall  be  fupplied  by  new  ekdions  in  the  fame  man* 
ner.  And  this  rotation  of  a  privy  counfellor  fhall  be  continued  af- 
terwards in  due  order  annually  for  ever.  The  prefident  may  bf 
fummons  convene  the  privy  council  at  any  time  when  the  public  exi* 
geocies  may  require,  and  at  fuch  place  as  he  fliall  think  mofl  conve- 
|iient«  when  and  where  they  are  to  attend  accordingly. 

IX.  The  prefident,  with  the  advice  and  confent  of  the  privy* 
council,  may  embody  the  militia,  and  a£t  as  captain-general  and 
commander  in  chief  of  them,  and  the  other  military,  force  of  this 
State,  under  the  laws  of  the  fame. 

X.  Either  Houfe  of  the  General  AiTembly  may  adjourn  themfelvcs 
refpe^ively.  The  prefident  fhall  not  prorogue,  adjourn,  or  difTolve 
the  General  AfTembly ;  but  he  may,  with  the  advice .  of  the .  privy 
council,  or  on  the  application  of  a  majority  of  either  Houfe,  call 
them  before  the  time  to  which  they  fhall  fland  adjourned ;  and  the 
two  Houfes  fhall  always  fit  at  the  fame  time  and  pUce ;  for  which 
purpofe,  immediately  after  every  adjournment,  the  fpeaker  of  the 
Houfe  of  AfTembly  fhall  give  notice  to  the  fpeaker  of  the  other 
Houfe  of  the  time  to  which  the  Houfe  of  Aflembly  flands  adjourned- 

XJ.  The  delegates  for  Delaware  to  the  Congrefs  of  the  United 
States  of  America  fhail  be  chofen  annually,  or  fuperfeded  in  the 
mean  time,  by  joint  ballot  of  both  Houfes  in  the  General  AfTembly* 

Xll.  The  prefident  and  General  AfTembly  fliall -by  joint  ballot  ap- 
point three  juftices  of  the  Supreme  Court  for  the  .State,  one  of 
whom  fhall  be  chief  juftice  and  a  judge  of  admiralty ;  and  alfo  four 

Vol.  II.  3  V  jufticca 


474  GENERAL .  DESCRIPTION 

jufltces  of  the  courts  of  Coromon  Fleas  and  Orphans  Courts  fep 
each  county,  one  of  whom  in  each  court  (hall  be  ililed  Chief  Juftioe 
(and  in  cafe  of  divifion  on  the  ballot,  the  prefident  (hall  have  aa  ad- 
ditional casing  voice,)  to  be  commiflioned  by  the  prefident  under  the 
great  feal,  who  fliall  continue  in  office  during  good  behaviour ;  and 
during  the  time  the  juilices  of  the  faid  Supreme  Court  and  CouiH 
of  Common  Fleas  remain  in  office^  they  fhall  hold  none  other  except 
in  the  militia.    Any  one  of  the  julHces  of  either  of  faid  courts  (hall 
have  power,  in  cafe  of  the  non-coming  of  his  brethren,  to  open  and 
adjourn  the  court.     An  adequate,  fixed,  but  moderate  falary  fhall  be 
fettled  on  them  during  their  continuance  in  office.    The  prefident 
and  privy  council  fliall  appoint  the  fecretary ;  the  attorney-general  4 
regiders  for  the  probate  of  wills,  and  granting  letters  of  adminis- 
tration ;  regifters  in  Chancery ;  clerks  of  the  Courts  of  Common 
Pleas  and  Orphans  Courts,  and  clerks  of  the  peace;  who  fhall  be 
commiffioned  as  afbrefaid,  and  remain  in  office  during  five  years,  if 
they  behave  themfelves  well,  during  which  time  the  laid  regiften 
in  Chancery  and  clerks  fhall  not  be  jufiices  of  either  of  the  faid 
courts  of  which  they  are  officers,  but  they  fhall  have  authority  to 
fign  all  writs  by  them  ifTued,  and  take  recognizances  of  bail.    The 
juilices  of  the  peace  fliall  be  nominated  by  the  Houfe  of  Ailembly; 
that  is  to  fay,  they  fliall  name  twenty-four  perfons  for  each  county, 
of  whom  the  prefident,  with  the  approbation  of  the  privy  9ouncil^ 
fliall  appoint  twelve,  who  fhall  be  commilfioned  as  afbrefaid,  and 
continue  in  office  during  feven  years,    if  they  behave  themfelves 
well ;  and  in  cafe  of  vacancies,  or  if  the  legiflature  fhall  think  pro- 
per to  increafe  the  number,  they  fhall  be  nominated  and. appointed  in 
like  manner.     The  members  of  the  legiflative  and  privy  conncik 
fliall  be  juilices  of  the  peace  for  the  whole  State,  during  their  conti- 
nuance in  trufl :  ai>d  the  juflices  of  the  courts  of  Common  Ple^ 
fhall  be  confervators  of  the  peace  in  their  relpeftive  counties. 

XIII.  The  juftices  of  the  courts  of  Common  Pleas  and  Orphaiy 
Courts  fliall  have  the  power  of  holding  inferior  courts  of  Chancery 
as  heretofore,  unlefs  the  legiflature  fhall  otherwife  dire^ 

XIV.  The  clerks  of  the  Supreme  Courts  fliall  be  appointed  by  the 
chief  juftice  thereof,  and  the  recorders  of  deeds  by  the  jufiices  of  t^ 
courts  of  Common  Pleas  for  each  county  feverally,  and  commiffiooed 
by  the  preiident  under  the  great  feal,  and  continue  in  office  five  years, 
if  they  behave  themfelves  well. 

XV.  The 


bP    DELAWARE;  +75 

^ V^  The  Atvitk  and  coroners  of  the  rcfpeftive  counties  ihall  be 
fchofen  annually  as  heretofore  5  and  any  pcrfon  haying  fcrved  three 
years  as  Iheriff,  Ihall  be  ineligible  for  three  years  after ;  and  the  pre* 
fident  and  privy  council  fliall  have  the  appomtment  of  fuch  of  the 
two  candidates  returned  for  the  faid  offices  of  flieriffs  and  coroners^ 
as  they  ihall  think  beft  qualified^  in  the  fame  manner  that  the  gover« 
nor  heretofore  enjoyed  this  power. 

XVI.  The  General  AfTembly,  by  joint  ballot,  fhall  appbmt  the 
generals  and  field  officers,  and  all  other  officers  in  the  army  or  navy 
of  this  State;  And  the  prefident  may  appoint  durbg  pleafure,  until 
otherwife  directed  by  the  legiflature^  all  neceflary  civil  officers  not 
herein  before  mentioned. 

XVII.  There  (haU  be  an  appeal  from  the  Supreme  Court  of  Dela- 
wire  in  matters  of  law  and  equityj  to  a  court  of  feven  perfons,  to 
Iconfiil  of  the  prefident  for  the  time  being,  who  (hall  preifide  therein^ 
and  fix  others;  three  to  be  appointed  by  the  Legifiative  Council^  and 
thireie  by  the  Houfc  of  Aflembly,  who  fhall  continue  in  office  during 
good  behaviour,  and  be  commiffioned  by  the  prefident  iinder  the  great 
jfeal ;  which  court  fhall  be  filled.  The  Court  of  Appeals,  and  have 
all  the  authority  and  powers  heretofore  given  by  law  in  the  lafl  re^ 
fort  to  the  King  in  council^  under  the  old  government.  The  fecre- 
tafy  fhall  be  the  derk  of  this  court,  and  vacancies  therein  occa- 
sioned by  death  or  incapacity  fhall  be  fupplied  by  new  ele£Honsi  ia 
jnanner  aforefaid. 

'  XVIII.  The  juflices  of  the  Supreme  Court  and  courts  6f  Com-i 
jnon  Pleasj  the  members  of  the  Privy  Council,  the  fecretary,  the 
tniflees  of  the  Loan  Office,  and  clerks  of  the  courts  df  Commoii 
Pleas,  during  their  continuance  in  office,  and  all  perfons  concerned 
in  any  army  or  navy  contradls,  fhall  be  ineligible  to  either  Houfe  of 
AfTembly ;  and  any  member  of  either  Houfe  accepting  of  any  other 
bf  the  offices  herein  before  mentioned,  excepting  the  office  of  a  juf« 
tice  of  the  peace,  fliall  hslve  his  feat  thereby  vacated^  and  a  new 
deflion  fhall  be  ordered. 

XIX;  The  Legiflative;  Council  and  Affembly  fhall  havfe  the  potirer 
of  making  the  great  feal  of  this  State,  which  fhall  be  kept  by  the 
prefident,  or  in  his  abfence  by  the  vice-prefident,  to  be  ufed  by  them 
as  occafion  may  require.  It  fhall  be  called^  The  Great  Seal  of  the 
Delaware  States  and  fhall  be  affixed  to  all  laws  and  commiffions. 

XX.  Commiffions  fhall  run  in  the  narile  of  The  Delaware  States 
and  bear  teft  by  the  prefident.  Writs  ihall  run  in  the  fame  manner, 
and  bear  tefl  in  the  name  of  the  chief  juflicCp  or  juftice  firft  named 

.  3  P  a  ""vsi^ 


476  GENEEAL   DESCRIPTION 

10  the  commiflionf  for  the  feveral  courts,  and  be  fealcd  withthe  ptit»* 
lie  feals  of  fuch  courti •  Indi£iments  (hall  conclude,  Againjt  tbtpuu 
mnd  i1  lenity  of  the  States 

XXL  In  cafe  of  vacancy  of  the  offices  above  directed  to  be  fiUed 
by  the  preiident  ahd  General  AiTembiy,  the  prefident  and  Wirf 
Council  may  appoint  others  in  their  ilead,  until  there  fhall  be  anew 
cleftion. 

XXIf .  Every  perfon  who  fhall  be  chofen  a  member  of  either  Hbdci 
or  apix)inted  to  any  office  or  place  of  truft,  before  taking  his  (eat,  of 
entering  upon  the  execution  of  his  office,  fhall  take  the  following 
oath,  or  affirmation,  if  conicicntiouHy  fcrupulous  of  taking  an  oath, 
to  wit, 

*^  I  A.  B.  will  bear  true  allegiance  to  the  Delaware  State,  fubmit 
to  its  confkitution  and  laws,  and  do  no  zQi  wittingly  whereby  the 
freedom  thereof  may  be  prejudiced." 

And  alfo  make  and  fubfcribc  the  following  declaration^  to  wit, 

^'  I  A.  B,  do  profefs  faith  in  God  the  Father,  and  in  Jefus  Chrift 
his  only  Son,  and  tlic  Holy  Ghofl,  one  God,  blefled  for  evermote; 
and  I  do  acknowledge  the  Holy  Scriptures* of  the  Old  and  New  Tef- 
ment  to  be  given  by  divine  infpiration." 

And  all  oflicers  fliall  alfo  take  an  oath  of  office. 

XXIII.  The  prefident  when  he  is  out  of  office,  and  within  eigh- 
teen months  after^  and  all  others,  offending  againft  the  State,  either 
by  mal-adminiftration,  corruption,  or  other  means,  by  which  the 
fafety  of  the  Commonwealth  may  be  endangered,  within  ■  eighteen 
months  after  the  otfence  committed,  fhall  be  impeachable  by  the 
Houfe  of  Aflcmbly  before  the  Legillativc  Council ;  fuch  impeach- 
ment to  be  profccutcd  by  the  attorney-general,  or  fuch  other  perfon 
or  perfons  as  the  Houlc  of  Aflembly  may  appoint,  according  to  the 
laws  cf  the  land.  If  found  guilty,  he  or  they  fhall  be  either  for 
ever  difabled  to  hold  any  office  under  government,  or  removed 
from  office  pro  tempore.,  or  fubjeded  to  fuch  pains  and  penalties  as 
the  laws  fliall  diredt.  And  all  ofiicers  Hiall  be  removed  on  conviction 
of  mifbehaviour  at  common  law,  or  on  impeachment,  or  upon  the 
addrefs  of  the  General  AfTembly. 

XXIV.  All  a^s  of  AfTembly  in  force  in  this  State  on  the  jjth  day 
of  May  laft,  and  not  hereby  altered,  or  contrary  to  the  refolution» 
of  Congrefs,  or  of  the  late  Houfe  of  AfTembly  of  this  State,  (hall  fo 
continue  until  altered  or  repealed  by  the  legiflature  of  this  State, 
unlefs  where  they  are  temporary,  in  which  cafe  they  iliall  eotpu-eat 
ths  tiffics  refpe&LYe\y>Viu4x^^  ioi  \!ci€wc  ^xai^i^sju;^^ 


•  OP:  DELAWARE.  J^J*} 

XXV.  The  commoa  law  of  England,  as  well  a$  fo  much  of  thd 
ftatute  law  as  have  been  heretofore  adopted  in  practice  in  this  State^ 
fliall  remain  in  force,  unlefs  they  Ihall  be  altered  by  a  future  law 
of  the  Icgiflature ;  fuch  parts  only  excepted  as  are  repugnant  to  the 
rights  and  privileges  contained  in  this  Conilitution,  and  the  Decla« 
xation  of  Rights,  &c.  agreed  to  by  this  Convention. 

XXVI.  No  perfon  hereafter  imported  into  this  State  from  Africa 
ought  to  be  held  in  flaveiy  under  any  pretence  whatever ;  and  na 
negro,  Indian  or  mulatto  (lave,  ought  to  be  brought  into  this  Stato 
for  faJe  from  any  part  of  the  world, 

XXViL  The  firft  eledion  for  the  General  Affembly  of  this  State 

fliall  be  held  on  the  2ift  day  of  Odober  next,  at  the  court  houfes  in 

the  feveral  counties,  in  the  manner  heretofore  ufed  in  the  elei^ioa 

o£tfae  AlTeraby^  except  as  to  choice  of  infpe^lors  and  afleflbrs,  whero 

afleflfors  have  not  been  chofen  on  the  i6th  of  September  inft.  which. 

fliall  be  made  on  the  morning  of  the  day  of  election,  by  the  electors, 

inhabitants  of  the  refpedive  hundreds  in  each  county ;  at  whicli 

time  the  fherifFs  and  coroners  for  the  faid  counties  refpe£tively  are 

to  be  eleded  ;  and  the  prefent  fheriffs  of  the  counties  of  Ncwcaftie 

and  Kent  may  be  rc-chofen  to  that  office  until  the  ift  of  Odtober^ 

in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thoufand  feven  hundred  and  feventy-nine, 

and  the  prefent  flieriff  for  the  county  of  SuiTex  may  be  re-choiea  to 

t-hat  office  uiitil  the  firft  day  of  Odober,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 

one  thoufand  feven  hundred  and  feventy-eight,  provided  the  freemea 

think  proper  to  re-eled  them  at  every  general  election ;  and  the 

prefent  fheriffs  and  coroners  refpedively  (hall  continue  to  exerctfe 

their  offices  as  heretofore,  until  the  flieriifs  and  coroners  to  boeleded 

on  the  iaid  twenty-firft  day  of  Odober  fliall  be  commiffioned  ami 

fworn  into  office.     The  members  of  the  Legiflative  Council  and  Af- 

fembly  fliall  meet  for  tranfatSting  the  bufinefs  of  the  State  on  the 

twenty-eighth  day  of  Odilober  next,  and  continue  in  office  until  the 

firft  day  of  Odlober  which  will  be  in  the  year  one  thoufand  feven 

hundred  and  feventy-fcven  ;  on  which  day,  and  on  the  firft  day  of 

October  in  each  year  for  ever  after,  the  Legiflative  Council,  Affem- 

bly,  flieriffs  and  coroners,  fliall  be  chofen  by  ballot  in  manner  diredted 

by  the  feveral  laws  of  this  State  for  regulating  elections  of  members 

of  Affembly,  and  flierifFs  and  coroners ;  and  the  General  AfTembly 

fliall  meet  on  the  twentieth  day  of  the  fame  month,  for  tranfading 

the  buGnefs  of  the  State  ;  and  if  any  of  the  faid  firft  and  twentieth 

days  of  October  fliould  be  Sunday,   theuy  and  in  fuch  cafe,  the 

z  eldtioni 


4;f8  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION,    &C. 

€le6lioDf  (hall  ht  held  and  the  General  Aflembly  meet  the  next  jajf 
following. 

XXVIII.  To  prevent  any  violence  or  force  being  nfed  at  the  laid 
dedionS)  no  perfons  iliall  come  armed  to  any  of  them ;  and  no  muC- 
ter  of  the  militia  ihal)  be  made  bn  that  da/^  nor  ihall  any  battalioo 
or  company  give  in  their  votes  immediately  fuCcccding  each  othcr^ 
if  any  other  voter  who  offers  to  vote  obje^  thereto;  nor  fliali  any 
battalion  or  company  in  the  pay  of  the  continent,  or  of  this  or  any 
other  State,  be  fufifered  to  remain  at  the  time  and  place  of  holding 
Aeiaid  ele6tion8,  nor  within  one  mile  of  the  faid  places  refpedivdy^ 
fcr  twenty-four  hours  before  the  opening  the  faid  eledtions,  nor  within 
twenty-four  hours  after  the  fame  are  clofed,  fo  as  in  any  manner  td 
impede  the  freely  and  conveniently  carrying  on  the  faid  elcdion; 
provided  always,  that  eveiy  eIe6kor  may  in  a  peaceable  and  orderly 
manner  give  in  his  vote  on  the  faid  day  of  eledion^ 

XX.  There  fliall  be  no  eibhlifhroent  of  any  one  religious  fe6l  id 
this  State  in  preference  to  another ;  and  no  clergyman  or  preacher 
of  the  gofpel,  of  any  denomination,  (hall  be  capable  of  holdbg  zaj 
civil  office  in  this  State,  or  of  being  a  member  of  either  of  the 
branches  of  the  legiflalure^  while  they  continue  in  the  eJterdfe  of 
tbe  paftoral  function. 

XXX*.  No  article  of  the  Declaration  of  Rights  and  Fundamental 
Rules  of  this  State^  agreed  to  by  this  Convention^  nor  the  firfl,  ie' 
cond,  fifth,  (except  that  part  thereof  that  relates  to  the  right  of  fuf^ 
fragc)  twenty-iixth  and  twenty-ninth  ai'tides  of  this  Conftitutiooi 
ought  ever  to  be  violated  on  any  pretence  whatever.  No  other  part 
tf  this  Confiitution  fliall  be  altered,  changed  or  diminiihed,  without 
the  confent  of  five  parts  in  feven  of  the  AfTembly^  and  feven  mem* 
bers  of  the  Legiflative  Council* 


tER- 


(    479    ) 


TERRITORY  N,  W,  of  the  OHIO, 


T 


SITUATION,  EXTENT,  AND  BOUNDARIES. 


HIS  territory,  ^.  W.  of  the  Ohio,  is  (ituated  between  37®  an j 
50**  north  latitude,  and  poP  and  23*  weft  longitude. 

This  extenfive  tra£t  of  country  is  bounded  nprth,  by  part  of  the 

northern  boundary  line  of  the  United  States ;  eaft,  by  the  lakes  and 

Pcnnfylvania ;  fouth,  by  the  Ohio  river ;  weft,  by  the  Miffiffippi. 

Afn  Hutchins,  the  late  geographer  of  the  United  States,  eflimatesy 

that  this  tr^£t  contains  two  hundred  and  (ixty-three  millions  forty 

fhoufand  acres,    of  which  forty-three  millions  forty  thoufknd  are 

'  water ;  this  deduced,  there  will  remain  two  hundred  and  twenty 

millions  of  acres,  belonging  to  the  federal  government,  to  be  fold 

for  the  difcharge  of  the  national  debt ;  except  a  narrow  ftrip  of  land 

bordering  on  the  fouth  of  lake  Erie,  and  ftretching  an  hundred  and 

twenty  miles  weft  of  the  weftern  limit  of  Pennlylvania,  which  bc«^ 

longs  te  Connedticut. 

But  a  imall  proportion  of  thefe  lands  is  yet  purchafed  of  the  na- 
tives, and  to  be  difpofed  of  by  Congrefs.  Beginning  on  the  me- 
ridian line,  which  forms  the  weftern  boundary  of  Pennfylvania,  feven 
ranges  of  townihips  have  been  furveyed  and  laid  off  by  order  of 
Congrefs.  As  a  north  and  fouth  line  ftrikes  the  Ohio  in  an  oblique 
direction,  the  termination  of  the  feventh  range  falls  upon  that  riveCf 
nine  miles  above  the  Muikingum,  which  is  the  firfl  large  river  that 
falls  into  the  Ohio.  It  forms  the  jun£lion  an  hundred  and  feventy- 
two  miles  below  Fort  Pitt,  including  the  windings  of  the  Ohio, 
though  in  a  dire6^  line  is  but  ninety  miles. 

The  lands  in  which  the  Indian  title  is  extinguished,  and  which 
are  now  purchaiing  under  the  United  States,  are  defined  within  the 
limits  already  mentioned.* 

On  thefe  lands  feveral  fettlements  are  commencing,  one  at  Marietta, 
at  the  mouth  of  Mufkingum,  under  the  direction  of  the  Ohio  com* 
pany :  another  between  the  Miami  river?,  under  the  direSion  of 
Colonel  Symmes ;  and  a  French  fettlement  a^  Galliopolis.    There 

are 

*  Page  177,  Vol-  I. 


480  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

are  feveral  other  tra£ls  delineated  on  the  map,  which  have  been 
granted  by  Congrefs  to  particular  companies,  and  other  trads  for 
particular  ufe?,  which  remain  without  any  Englifh  fettlements. 

FACE  OF  THE  COUNTRY,  SOIL,  AND  PRODUCTIONS. 

Our  remarks  on  thefe  heads,  be  fides  what  the  reader  will  find  in^ 
terlperfed  in  the  defcription  of  the  rivers,  we  add  from  an  anony- 
mous pamphlet  publiflied  not  long  fince,  which  we  prefume  is  the 
mofi  authentic,  refpeding  the  part  of  that  country  which  has  been 
purchafed  of  the  Indians,  of  any  that  has  been  laid  before  the  public. 

**•  The  uiuliflinguifhed  terms  of  admiration  that  are  commonly 
ufed  in  fpeaking  of  the  natural  fertility  of  thq  country  on  the  weftera 
waters  of  the  United  States,  would  render  it  difficult,  without  accu- 
rate attention  in  the  furveys,  to  afcribe  a  preference  to  any  particu- 
lar part ;  or  to  give  a  juft  defcription  of  the  territory  under  con- 
fideration,  without  the  hazard  of  being  fufpedted  of  exaggeration : 
;but  in  this  we  have  the  united  opinion  of  the  geographer,  the  fur- 
veyors,  and  every  traveller  that  has  been  intimately  acquainted  with 
the  country,  and  marked  every  natural  objed  with  the  moft  fcru- 
pulous  exadnefs — that  no  part  of  the  federal  territory  unites  fo  many 
advantages,  in  point  of  health,  Jfcrtility,  variety  of  productions,  and 
foreign  intercourfe,  as  that  which  flretches  from  the  Mufkingmn  to 
the  Scioto  and  the  great  Miami  rivers,* 

"  Colonel  Gordon,  in  his  Journal,  fpeaking  of  a  much  larger 
range  of  country,  in  which  this  is  included,  and  makes  unqueilion- 
ably  the  fineft  part,  has  the  following  obfervation :  "  The  country 
.on  the  Ohio  is  every  where  pleafant,  with  large  level  fpots  of  rich 
land,  and  remarkably  healthy.  One  general  remark  of  this  nature 
.  will  ferve  for  the  whole  tra£l  of  the  globe  comprehended  between 
the  weftern  Ikirts  of  the  Allegany  mountains ;  thence  running  foutli- 
weftw^dly  to  the  diftance  of  five  hundred  miles  to  the  Ohio  falls ; 
then  crofling  them  northerly  to  the  heads  of  the  rivers  that  empty 
therafelves  into  the  Ohio  ;  thence  eaft  along  the  ridge  that  feparates 
the  lakes  and  Ohio  ilreams  to  French  creek  ;  this  country  may, 
from  a  proper  knowledge,  be  affirmed  to  be  tlie  moft  healthy,  the 

*  A  gentleman  who  has  vifitcd  this  countiy,  fuppofcs  this  account  is  a  little  too 
highly  embcllifhed  ;  he  acknowledges  that  it  is  a  very  fine  country,  but  tliinks  that 
there  aie  other  parts  of  the  w<Slem  uhfcttlcd  country,  which  unite  at  Icaft  as  many,  if 
not  more  advantages^  than  the  tni£t  abuve  mentioned. 

moft 


OF    THE    N.  W.    OP    THE    OJaiO.  48 1 

woik  picafant,  the  mod  commodious  and  moft  fertile  fpot  of  earth* 
known  to  the  European. people* 

**  The  lands  on  the  various  breams  above  mentioned,  which,  fall 
into  the  OhiO|  are  now  more  accurately  Icnown,  and  may  be  defcrib^d 
with  confidence  and  preciiion.  They  are  interfperfcd  with  all  tb© 
variety  of  foil  which  conduces  to.  the  pleafantnefs  of  .(itiiation,  and 
lays  the  fpundation  for  the  wealth  of  an  agricultural  and  manufac- 
turing  people.     Large  level  bottoms,   w  natural  meadows,   from 

.twenty  to  fifty  miles  in  circuit,  are  every  where  found  bordering 
the  rivers,  and  variegating  the  country  in  the  interior  parts.  Theje 
afford  as  rich  a  foil  as  can  be  imagined,  and  may  be  reduced  to 
proper  cultivation  with  very  little  labour.  It  is  faid,  that  in  many 
of  thefe  bottoms  a  man  may  clear  an  acre  a  day,  fit  for  planting  with 
^Indian  corn,  there  being  no  underwood  ;  and  the  trees  growing  very 
high  and  large,  but  not  thick  together,  need  nothing  but  girdling* 

**  The  prevailing  growth  of  timber,  and  the  more  ireful  trees, 
are,  maple  or  fugar  tree,  fycamore,  black  and  white  mulberry,  black 

.  and  white  walnut,  butte/*nut,  chefnut ;  white,  black,  Spaniih  and 
chefnut  oaks,  hiccory,  cherry,  buckwood  or  hbrfe  chefnut,  honey 
locuft,   elm,  cucumber  tree,  lyn  tree,  gum  tree,,  iron  wood,  aih, 

.  afpin,  faHalras,  crab  apple  tree,  paupaw  or  cuftard  apple,  a  variety 
of  plum  trees,  nine-bark ,  fpice  and  leather-wood  bufhes.    G-^neral 

,  Parfons  meafured  a  black  walnut  tree  near  Muikinguin,  whofe  cir-> 
cumference,  at  five  feet  fropa  the  ground,  was  twenty-two  feet.    A 

.  iycamore,  near  the  fame  place,  meafured  forty-four  feet  in  circum* 

^  icrence,  at  fome  diflance  from  the  ground.  White  and  black  oak, 
and  chefnut,  with  noo^  of  the  abpye^-mentipned  timbers,  grow  large 
and  plenty  upon  the  high  grounds ;  both  the  high  and  low  lands 
produce  vail  quantities  of  natural  grapes  of  variouiit  kinds,  of  which 
the  fettlers  univerfally  make  a  fufficiency  of  rich  red. wine  for  their 
own  confumption*  It  10  afletted  in  the  old  fettkment  pf  St,  Vincent, 
where  they  have  had  opportunity  to  try  it,  that  age  will  render  this 
wine  preferable  to  mod  of  the  European  wines*    Cotton  is  the  na* 

.  tiir^  produdiop  of  this  country,  and  grows  in  great  perfection. 
*^  The  fugar  maple  is  a  moft  valuable  tree  for  an  ^laad  country ; 

.  any  nnn^ber  of  inhabitants  may  be  for  ever  fupplied  with  a  fufiiciendy 

of  fuj^,  by  preferving  a  few  trees  for  the  ufc  of  each  family :  a  tree 

will  yield  about  ten  pounds  of  fugar  a  year,  and  the  labour  i%  very 

trilling  T  the  fap  is  eytraCted  in  the  ^^onths  of  February  and  March, 

Vol,  II.  3  Q,  ^^^ 


4^2  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

and  granulated,  by  the  fimple  operation  of  boiling,  to  a  fugar  equal 
in  fl.w<nir  and  uhitenefs  to  the  beft  Mufcovado. 

"  Springs  of  excellent  water  abound  in  every  part'of  this  terri- 

■ 

tory  ;  and  fmall  and  large  ftreams,  for  mills  and  other  purpofes,  are 
actually  interfperfed,  as  if  by  art,  fo  that  there  feemsto  be  no  de- 
ficiency in  any  of  the  necelTaries  of  life. 

"  Very  lit:le  wafte  land  is  to  be  found  in  any  part  of  this  tn^oi 
country  ;  there  arc  no  fwamps  but  fuch  as  may  be  readily  drained, 
and  made  into  arable  and  meadow  land;  and  though  the  hills  are  fre- 
quent, they  are  gentle  and  fweliing,  no  where  high  or  incapable  of 
'  tillage  ;  they  are  of  a  deep,  rich  foil,  covered  with  a  heavy  growth  of 
timber,  and  well  adapted  to  the  produd^ion  of  wheat,  rye,  indigo, 
tobacco,  &c. 

"  The  communications  between  this  country  and  the  fej^  vill  be 
principally  in  the  four  following  dire<^tions :  '  '   ' 

"  I.  The  route  through  the  Scioto  arid  Mufkingiim  to  lake  Eric, 
'  and  {o  to  the  river  Hudfon,  which  has  been  already  defcribedl 

*''  2.  The  paflage  up  the  Ohio  and  Mohohjgahela  to  the  portage 
above  mentioned,  whSdh'  leads  to  thd  navigable  waters  of  the  Poto- 

•  f 

mack;  this  portage  is  thirty  miles,'  and  will  probably  be  rendered 
much  fefs  by  the  fexccrutit)n  of  the  pl^ns  now  oil  foot'for  opening  the 
navigation  of  thofc  waters.  ? 

"  3.  The  Gteat'Kanhaway,  which  falls  into  the 'Ohio  from  the 

■  Virginia  fhore,  between  the  Hockhocking  and  the  Scioto,  opens  an 

■  cxtenfive  navigation  from  the  fcruthf'ekfl:,  ahd  leaves  but  eighteen 
niilcs  portage  from  the  navigatte  mters  of  Jam'es  river  in  Virginia, 
This  communicaffon' for  the  country  bttwtferi  Miilkingum  aiid  Scioto, 
"Will  probably  bfe  inore  ufed  than  any"  other  for  the  exportation  of 
manufactures  and  other  light  and  valuable  articles,  and  cfpecially 
■for  the  impottcitiort'of  foreign  cdmmodiri'es,  which  rijay  be  brought 

from  the  C^efapeak  to  the  Ohibiiiucli  cheaper  than  they  are  now 
carried  from  Philadelphia  taGariifle,  and' the  other  thick^fcttlcd  back 
counties  of  Pennfylvania;*  'I  * 

"'4.  But  the  current  down  the  Ohid  and  Miffifiippt,  for  heavy 

articles  th^t  fuit  the  Fldrida  and  Weft-India  markets,  inch  as  corn, 

*  flour,  beef,  Inbber,  &c.  will  be  miore  frequently  loaded  than  any 

flreams  on  earth.   'The  diftance  fr6tn  thef  Scioto  to  the  Mifliffippi  is 

■ 

*  Wc  think  it  right  to  notice  thaf  a  gentleman  of  much  obfervatlon,  and  a  great  tra- 
veller in  this  country,  is  of  opini(Ki|-  that  this  communication  or  routd  U  chimerical. 

eight 


OF  ;TH]f  eN.-W»-qF,TB5  AHJEO.  48  j 

^ht  liuiu^red  miles,  .fro/n  ther>ce,to  the  fea  is  nine  huqdced.    This , 
whole  courie  is  cafily  run.  in  fifteen  days,  and  the  pafTage  up  thofe . 
rivers  is  not  fo  difficult  ^s^  l^s  ufual^jr  been  reprefcnted.    It  is  found, . 
by  late  .experiments,  that,  fei^.-^are  :ufed  tp.  great  .advai^tage  againii 
the  current  of  .the  Ohio  ;  and  it  is  worthy  of  oipfervation,  that  in  all 
probability  fteam  boats,  will  be  found  to  do  Lp^nite  fervice  in  all  our 
extenfive  river  navigation.  r. 

"  The  defign  of  Congrefs  and  of  the  Ohio  company  is,  that  thd 
icttiements  fliall  proceed  regularly  down  the  OJiio,  and  notthward 
to  lake  Erie;  and  it  is  probable,  that  not  many  years  will. elapfe, 
before  the  whole  countr}-  above  Miami  will  be  brought  tq  that  de- 
gree of  cultivation,  which  will  exhibit  all  its  latent  beauties,  and 
jufti fy  thole  defcriptions  of  travellers  which  have  fo  often  made  it 
the  garden  of  the  world,  the  feat  qf  wealthy  and  the  center  of  a 
great  empire, 

"No  country  is  better,  flocked  with  wild  game  of  every  kind  5 
innumerable  herds  of  deer  and  wild  cattle  are  Iheltcred  in  the  groves, 
and  fed  in  the  extenfivo  bottoms  that  every  where  abound  1  an  un-. 
queftionable  proof  of  the  great  fertility  of  the  foil :  turkies,  geefe^ 
ducks,  fwans,  teal,  pheafants,  partridges,  &c,  are,  from  obfervation, 
believed  to  be  in  greater  plenty  here,  than  the  tame  poultry  are  iii. 
any  part  of  the  old  fettlements  in  America^ 

**  The  rivers  arc  well  ftored  with  fifli  of  various  kinds,  and  many 
of  them  of  an  excellent  quality :  they  are  generally  large,  though  of 
different  fizes ;  the  cat  iilh,  which  is  the  largefl,  and  of  a  delicioua 
flavour,  weighs  from  (ix  to  eighty  pounds.'* 

The  Muikingum  is  a  gentle  river,  confined  by  banks  fo  high  as  to 
prevent  its  overflowing.  It  is  two  hundred  and  fiftjr  yards  wide  at  its 
confluence  with  the  Ohio,  and  navigable  by  large  batteaux  and  barges 
to  the  Three  Legs  ;  and  by  fmall  ones  to  the  lake  at  its  head.  From 
thence,  by  a  portage  of  about  one  mile,  a  communication  is  opened 
to  lake  Erie,  through  the  Cayahoga,  which  is  a  ftrcam  of  great 
utility,  navigable  the  whole  length  without  any  obftrudlion  from  falls* 
From  lake  Erie  the  avenue  is  well  known  to  the  Hudibn,  in  the  State 
of  New- York. 

The  Hockho'cking  refembles  the  Muikingum^  though  foiiiewhat 
inferior  in  fize.  It  is  navigable  for  large  boats  about  feventy  miles, 
and  for  fmall  ones  much  farther.  Oh  the  banks  of  this  very  ufeful 
ftream  are  found  inexhauflible  quarries  of  free-ftone,  large  beds  of 
iron  ore,  and  fomc  rich  mines  of  lead.    Coal  mmes  and  fait  fprings 

3  Qji,  arc 


484  GENEHAL   IJESCRtPtlON 

are  frequent  in  the  neighbourhood  of  thre  ftream,  as  thejr  arem  etcrt 
part  of  the  weftern  territory.  The  fiak  that  amy  be  obtained  froiB 
thofe  fprings  will  afford  an  inerinudiUe  fiore  of  that  neccffiuy  ar- 
ticle. Beds  of  white  and  blue  day,  of  an  eaKellent  quality,  air  lib- 
wife  found  here,  fuitable  for  the  manufafture  of  gtafs,  crockenr,  aai 
other  earthen  wares.  Red  bole  and  numy  other  ulcful  fbffils  hafe beei 
obferved  on  the  branches  of  this  river* 

The  Scioto  is  a  larger  river  than  either  of  die  preceding,  and  open 
a  more  extenfive  navigation.    It  is  pafible  for  large  barges  for  tvo 
h\indred  miles,  with  a  portage  of  only  four  milea  to  the  Sanduibr,  1 
g^XKi  navigable  (beam  that  falls  into  the  lake  Erie.     Through  the 
Sandufky  and  Scioto  lies  the  moft  common  pafi  firom  Canada  to  die 
Ohio  and  Miififlippi  ;  one  of  the  moft  extenfive  and  ufcfiil  conuBom- 
cations  that  is  to  be  found  in  this  country.  Prodigious  extenfions  of 
territory  are  here  connected ;  and,  from  the  rapidity  with  which  tht 
Weflem  parts  of  Canada,  lake  £rie,  and  the  Kentucky  countries  st 
fetding,  we  may  anticipate  an  immenfe  intercouHe  between  thenk 
The  lands  on  the  borders  of  the  middle  flreams,  fronn  this  circwB- 
fbnce  alone,  aiide  from  their  natural  fertility,  mufl  be  rendered 
very  valuable.     The  flour,  com,  flax,  hemp,  &c«  raifed  for  expor- 
tation in  that  great  country  between  the  lakes  Huron  and  Ontark!i» 
will  find  an  outlet  through  lake  £rie  and  thefe^ rivers,  or  down  tbe 
Mifliflippi.   The  Ohio  merchant  can  give  a  higher  price  than  thofe  of 
Quebec  for  thcfe  commodities,  as  they  maybe  tranfported  fnn 
the  former  to  Florida  and  the  Weft-India  iflands,  with  lefs  expenfe, 
rilk,  and  infurance,  than  from  the  latter ;  while  the  expenfe  from  the 
place  of  growth  to  the  Ohio  will  not  be  one  fourth  of  what  it  wotdd 
be  to  Quebec^  and  much  Itfs  than  even  to  the  Oneida  lake.    Th& 
ftream  of  Scioto  is  gentle,  and  no  where  broken  by  falls :  at  fome 
places,  in  tbe  fpring  of  the  year,  it  overflows  its  banks,  thus  providiog 
for  large  natural  rice  plantations.   Salt  fprings,  coal  mines,  white 
and  blue  clay,  and  free-ftone,  abound  in  the  country  adjoininf  tfaii 
river. 

The  Little  Miami  is  too  fmall  for  battdtQX  navigatidii.  Itt  baob 
are  good  land,  and  fo  high  as  to  prevent,  in  conunon,  the  overloiF* 
ing  of  the  water. 

The  Great  Miami  has  a  very  ftony  channel,  and  afwift'ihtuib 
but  no  falls.  It  is  formed  of  feveral  large  branches,  which  are  paf* 
fable  for  boats  a  great  diftance.  One  branch  conies  froim  the  well^ 
and  riles  in  the  Wabafh  coimtky :  another  lifbs  near  the  Ikad  waien 

of 


OF   THE    ».   W.   OF    THE   OHtO.  jfl^ 

<if  Miami  irrer,  wUch  rtms  into  hke  Erie;  and  a  (hort  port^ 
dirida  anotSier  branch  of  Sandufty  river.  It  alio  iflterlodu  witk  ife 
Sdoto. 

The  Wabafli  is  a  beaitifol  river,  with  higfi  and  fertile  banlcs.  it 
empties  into  tbe  Ohio  bf  a  mooth  two  haodred  and  feveaty  jraf«b 
wide,  one  tboniand  and  twemjr  miles  belotr  fort  Fitt.  In  the  fpriiig^ 
^itininer,  and  autumn,  it  it  payable  for  batteaux  drawing  three  feet 
m-ater,  fotir  ImDdred  and  twelve  aii!es,  to  Ouitanon,  a  linaU  Frendi 
ibttlement,  oo  the  weft  fide  of  the  river ;  and  for  large  canoes  one 
fauoSred  and  nsoery-iet'co  miles  farther,  to  the  Miami  carrving  place, 
lUtte  miles  from  Miami  village.  This  vilia^^  ftands  on  Miami  river, 
nrbicb  empties  into  tbe  ibotfa-weft  part  of  lake  Erie.  Tbe  comnrani- 
caticxi  between  Detroit,  and  the  Illinois,  and  Ohio  oounrries,  is  up 
Mnmi  river  to  Miami  village,  thesoe,  by  land,  nine  miies,  when 
ibe  rivers  are  high ;  and  firom  eighteen  to  thirty  when  tbey  are  low, 
through  a  level  country,  to  the  Wabafli,  and  through  the  various 
hmxha  of  ihc  Wabafii  to  tbe  places  of  deHination. 

A  filver  mine  has  been  diicovered  about  tweoty-eig^  miies  above 
Ouitanon,  on  the  northern  fide  of  the  Wabafli.  Salt  fynngs^  hmt, 
Iree-flooe,  blue,  yellow,  and  white  d^^  are  fomd  in  plenty  upaa 
this  river. 

The  rivers  Avafe  and  Kaftafktas  empty  into  the  MiiCffippi  from 
dae  nordi-eail ;  the&rmer  is  navigate  for  boats,  fixty,  and  the  latter, 
abovt  one  hundred  and  thirty  liiiles.  Tbey  both  run  through  a  rich 
ccMHitry,  which  has  cxtcnfive  meadows* 

Between  the  Xaftaicias  and  Illinob  rhrers,  whidi  are  ei^ily-fbiir 
mles  apart,  is  an  extenfive  trad  of  level,  rich  land,  which  termi* 
c6Ltes  m  a  high  ridge,  about  fifteen  miles  befi>re  you  reach  die  Illinois 
river.  In  this  delightful  vale  are  a  number  of  French  villages,  which, 
nogetfaer  with  tbofe  of  St.  Genevieve  and  St.  Louis,  on  the  weilem 
fide  of  the  MlHiffippi,  ccouined  in  1771^  one  thodand  two  hundred 
aixl  feventy-three  fendble  men. 

One  huixhed  and  leveotV'fix  miles  above  the  Obio^  and  eigfateea 
miles  above  the  Miflburi,  the  Iliinois  empties  into  the  Miffiffppi 
from  die  nonh-eafl  by  a  mouth  four  hundred  yards  wide.  This 
river  is  bordered  irith  fine  meadows,  which  in  fbme  plaoes  extend 
ai^fiu*asdieeyecanreich:  thb  rivef  fumifhes  a  amuiiuiiirafioo  with 
Jake  Mifhigan,  by  the  Chicago  river,  between  wludi  and  thelffiDoitf 
ate  Ufo  portages,  the  longeft  of  which  does  not  exceed  firar  inki; 
it  receives  a  number  of  rivers,  which  aiefinom  twenty  to  one  httidre4 

yarda 


486  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

yards  wide,  and  navigable  for  boats  from  fifteen  to  one  bunded  atfd 
cigbty  miles.  Oa  the  north-wtflern  fide  of  this  river  is  a  coal  mine, 
which  extends  for  half  a  mile  along  the  middle  of  the  bank  of  the 
river,  and  about  the  fame  diftance  below  the  coal  noine  aretwolalt 
ponds,  one  hundred  yards  in  circumference,  and  feveral  feet  in  depth. 
The  water  is  Jftagnant,  and  of  a  yellowifti  colour-;  but  the  French 
and  natives  make  good  fait  from  it.     The  foil  of  the  Illinois  counuy 

■ 

is,  in  general,  of  a  fuperior  quality :  its  natural  growth  confifts  of 
oak,  hiccory,  cedar,  mulberry,  &c,  hops,  dying  drugs,  medicinal 
plants  of  feveral  kinds,  and  excellent  wild  grapes.  As  bar  back  as 
the  year  1769,  the  French  fettlers  made  one  hundred  and  ten  hog- 
ilieads  of  ftrong  wine  from  thefe  grapes. 

There  are  many  other  rivers  of  equal  fizc  and  importance  with 
thofe  we  have  been  defcribing,  which  'are  not  fufficiently  known 
for  accurate  defcriptions. 

CIVIL    DIVISIONS- 

That  part  of  this  territory  in  which  the  Indian  title  is  cxtinguiflied, 
and  which  is  fettling  under  the  government  of  the  United  States,  is 
divided  into  four  counties,  as  follows : 

Wafliinglon,  created  July  26th,       1788 

Hamilton,      ■  January  2d,  1790 

St.  Clair,       ■  April  27th,  1790 

Knox,  ■  Ji.n-2oth,  1790 

Thefe  counties  have  been  organized  with  the  proper  civil  and  mi- 
litary officers.  The  county  of  St.  Clair  is  divided  into  three  diftri6ts, 
viz.  thediflii6l  ofCahokia,  the  diflrift  of  Prairie-du-rochers,  and  the 
diftridl  of  Kafkafkias.  Courts  of  general  quarter  feffions  of  the  peace, 
county  courts  of  common  pleas,  and  courts  of  probate,  to  be  held 
in  each  of  thefe  diftri£ls,  as  if  each  was  a  diftindt  county  ;  the 
officers  ef  the  county  may  ad  by  deputy,  except  in  the  diflri6t  where 
they  refide. 

ANTIQUITIES,  CURIOSITIES,  &c. 

The  number  of  old  forts  found  in  the  Kentucky  country  are  the 
admiration  of  the  curious,  and  a  matter  of  much  fp^culation  ;  they 
are  moftly  of  an  oblong  form,,  fituated  on  ftrong,  well-chofen 
ground,  and  contiguous  to  water  ;  when,  by  whom,  and  for  what 
purppfes  thefe  were  thrown  up,   is  uncertain ;  they  are  undoubtedly 


OF    THE   N.    W.    OP    THE    OHIO.  487 

very  ancient,  as  there  is  not  the  Icaft  vifible  difference  in  the  age  or 
iize  of  the  timber  growing  on,  or  v^itbln,  thefe  forts,  and  that  which 
grdws  without ;  "and  the  old  natives  have  loft  all  tradition  refpe«5ting 
them.  Dr.  Cutler, "  whb  has  accurately  examined  the  trees  on  thefe 
forts,  and  which  he  thinks,  from  appearances,  are  the  fecond 
growth,  is  of  opinion,  that  thtey  rtiuft  hsive  been  built  upwards  of 
one  thoui'sfnd  years  ago  :  they  muft  have  been  the  efforts  of  a  people 
much  more  devoted  to  labour  than  the  prefent  race  of  Indians ;  and 
it  il  difficult  to  conceive  how  they  could  be  conftrufted  without  the 
ufe  of  iron  tools.  At  a  convenient  diftance  firom  thefe  always  ftands  a 
fmall  mound  of  earth,  thrown  up  in  the  form  of  a  pyramid,  and  feemi 
in  fome  meafure  proportioned  to  the  fize  of  its  adjacent  fortification. 
On  examination,  they  have  been  found  to  contain  a  chalky  fubftance, 
fuppofed  to  be  bones,  and  of  the  human  kind. 

Under  this  head  we  may  mention  tht  extenfive  meadows,  or,  i% 
the  French  call  them,  Prairie,  which  anfwer  to  what,  in  the  fouthern 
States,  are  called  Savannas ;  they  are  a  rich  plain,  without  trees,  and 
'  covered  with  grafs ;  fome  of  thefe,  between  St.  Vincennes  and  the 
Miffiffippi,  are  thirty  or  forty  miles  in  extent.  In  palfing  them,  as 
far  as  the  eye  can  reach,  there  is  not  a  tree  to  be  feen  ;  but  there 
is  plenty  of  deer,  wild  cattle,  bears,  and  wolves,  and  innumerable 
flocks  of  turkies ';  thefe,  with  the  green  grafs,  form  a  rich  and  beau- 
tiful profpeft. 

The  pofts  eftabliflied  for  the  protedion  of  the  frontiers  are  as 
follow  :  Franklin,  on  French  creek  ;  Harmar,  at  the  mouth  of  the 
IVf uflcingum  ;  Stuben,  at  the  rapids  of  the  Ohio ;  Fayette,  Hamil« 
ton,  Knox,  Jefferfon,  bt.  Clair,  Marietta,  and  St.  Vincennes. 

POPULATION. 

The  number  of  inhabitants  in  this  large  traft  of  country  has  not 
been  afcertained.  But  from  the  beft  data  the  author  has  received, 
the  population  may  be  eftimated  as  follows  : 

Indians  (fuppofe) ,     .     65,000*   179* 

Ohio  Company  purchafe 2,500    do* 

-  Col.  Symmes*  fettlemcnts     ,    \     ,     •     .     .     .       2,000    do. 

*  The  tribes  who  inhabit  this  country  are  the  Piantias,  on  both  fide*  the  Milfiffippi ; 
the  Cafquerafquias,  on  the  Illinois ;  the  Piankaihaws  and  other  tribes,  on  the  Wa« 
baih  ;  the  Shawanefe,  on  the  Scioto  ;  the  Delawares,  the  Miainis^  the  Ouifcons,  Maf« 
contcns,  Sakics,  Sioux,  Mekekouakis,  the  Pilans,  Powtowatamis,  Meffaques,  Ottawas, 
Chipewas/  and  Wiandots.     The  whole  anaountihg  to  the  above  number. 

3  Galliopolii 


4&i  GENERAL  9ESCRIPTIO{r 

GalliopoIIs  (French  fcttlement)  oppofite  the  Kaohawa 

river ♦.  i,ooo   1791. 

\inceniKs  and  its  viciiiicyy  on  the  Wabaih»      •     •  i»50o    do. 

Kaftafkias  and  Cahokia 680   179a 

At  Grand  RtUiiTeau^  village  of  St.  Fhilipy  and  Frairie- 

du-rocbcrs       .*•« S40   do. 


Total     72,920 


In  1 790,  there  were  in  the  town  of  Vincenncs  about  forty  Ame- 

^lican  families  and  thirty-one  (laves;  and  on  the  Miffiflippi,  forq^ 

American  Emilias  and  feventy-three  ilaves,  all  included  in  the  above 

climate.    On  the  Spani(h  or  weflern  fide  of  the  Miififfippi^  there 

were  in  1790,  about  one  thoufand  eight  hundred  pqfons^  principally 

,at  Genevieve  and  St.  Louis. 

GOVERNMENT,    Sec 

By  an  ordinance  of  Congrefs,  paffed  on  the  13th  of  July,  1787, 
.this  country,  for  the  purpofes  of  temporary  government,"  was  eie^kd 
.into  one  diftridl,  fubj^dt, .  however,  to  a  diviiion,  when  circunoibDces 
Ihall  make  it  expedient. 

Ib  the  iaroe  ordinance  it  is  provided,  that  Congrefs  (hall  appoint  a 
governor,  whofe  commiflion  (liall  continue  in  force  three  years,  \m* 
Jefs  fooner.  revoked. 

The  governor  mult  relide  in  the  diftri^  and  have  a  freehold 
cftate  therein,  in  one  thoufand  acres  of  land,  while  in  the  exerciieof 
bis  office. 

Congrefs,  from  time  to  time,  are  to  appoint  a  fecrctary,  to  con- 
tinue in  office  four  years, .  unlefs  fooner  removed,  who  muil  refide 
in  thediftrid,  and  have  an  e(late  01  five  hundred  acres  of  land,  while 
in  office. 

The  bufinefs  of  the  fecretary  is,  to  keep  and  preferve  the  adh  aad 
laws  of  the  Icgiflature,  the  public  records  of  the  diflrid,  and  the 
proceedings  of  the  governor  in  his  executive  depi^rtment ;  and  to 
tranfmit  authentic  copies  pf  iuch  afts  and  proceedings,  every  $x 
months,  to  the  fecretary  of  Congrefs. 

The  ordinance  provides,  that  Congrefs  (h^ll  appoint  throe  judges, 

■  poiTcfTcd  each  of  five  hundred  acres  of  land  in  the  di(lri6t  in  which  they 

are  to  re  fide,  and  to  hold  dieir  commiffions  during  good  behaviour, 

any  two  of  whom  (hall  form  a  court,  which  (hall  have  a  commpn 


OP    THB    N.    W.    OF    THE    OHIO.  489 

law  jurifdi^on.  The  governor  and  judges  arc  authorifed  to  adopt 
and  publilh  in  the  diflridt,  fuch  laws  of  the  original  States,  crimiDal 
and  civil,  as  may  be  neceifaiy  and  bell  fuited  to  the  circuro dances  of 
the  diftriif):,  to  report  them  to  Congrefs;  and,  if  approved,  thcj? 
ihall  continue  in  force  till  the  organization  of  the  General  Aflembly  of 
the  diftri£t,  who  (hall  have  authority  to  alter  them.  The  governor 
is  to  command  the  militia,  and  appoint  and  qommilHon  their  officers, 
except  general  officers,  who  are  to  be  appointed  and  commiilioned  by 
Congrefs* 

Previpufly  to  the  organization  pf  the  Aflembly,  the  governor  is  to 
appoint  fuch  magiilrates  and  civil  ofHcers  as  ihall  be  deemed  necelTary 
for  the  prcfervatioo  of  peace  and  order. 

So  (bon  as  there  fliall  be  five  thoufand  free  male  inhabitants  of  fuU* 
age  in  the  difbifV,  they  (hall  receive  authority  to  eledt  reprefenta- 
lives,  one  for  every  five  hundred  free  male  inhabitants,  to  reprefent 
them  in  the  General  AlTembly ;  the  reprefentation  to  increafe  pro- 
greffively  with  the  number  of  free  male  inhabitants  till  there  be 
twcnty^five  reprefentatives  ;  after  which,  the  number  and  proportion 
of  the  reprefentatives  (hall  be  regulated  by  the  legiHature.  A  repre- 
fcntative.  mull  pofTefs,  in  fee  iimple,  two  hundred  acres  of  land,  ^nd 
be. a  refident  in  the  difh'i^t ;  and  muft  have  been  a  citizen  of  the 
United  States,  or  a  refideat  in  the  diftrid,  three  years  preceding  hit 
<ledion.  An  eledor  muft  have  fifty  acres  of  land  in  the  diftri6t,  muft 
be  a  reiident,  and  have  been  a  citizen  of  one  of  the  States,  or  muft 
poflfefs  the  fame  freehold,  and  have  been  two  years  a  refident  in  the 
diftri£L  The  1  eprefentatives,  when  duly  ele«Sted,  are  to  continue  in 
ofiice  two  years. 

The  General  Aflembly,  or  Legiflature,  fhall  confift  of  |the  Gover- 
noTy  Legiflative  Council,  andHoufe  of  Reprefentatives.  The  Legif- 
lative  Council  fhall  confift  of  five  members,  to  continue  in  office  five 
years,  unlefs  looner  removed  by  Congrefs ;  three  make  a  quorum. 
•The  council  are  to  be  thus  appointed :  the  governor  and  reprefen- 
tatives, when  met,  (hall  nominate  ten  perfons,  refidents  in  the  dif- 
tridt,  each  pofrefTcd  of  a  freehold  of  five  hundred  acres  of  land, 
and  return  their  names  to  Congrefs,  who  fhall  appoint  and  commiJ^oa 
five  of  them  to  fcrvc  as  aforefaid. 

All  bills  pafTed  by  a  majority  in  the  Houfe  and  in  Council,  (liall 
be  referred  to  the  governor  for  his  aflent ;  and  no  bill,  or  legiflative 
a6t  whatever,  fhall  be  of  force  without  his  afTcnt.    The^overnor  iliaU 

Voi.  n.  3  R  have . 


49^  GENERAL    DESCRIPTION 

to  the  fame,  (hall  become  fixed  and  eftablifhed  as  follows,  viz.  The 
weftern  State  in  the  faid  territory  fliall  be  bounded  on  the  Mi£fippi/ 
the  Ohio,  and  Wabadi  rivers ;  a  dired^  line  drawn  from  the  Wabafii 
and  Foft  Vincent  due  north  to  the  territoria]  line  between  the  United 
States  and  Canada,  and  by  the  faid  territorial  line  to  the  lake  of  tbe 
Woods  and  the  Miflilfippi.    The  middle  State  fliall  be  bounded  bf 
the  faiddircft  line,  the  Wabafli  fiom  Poft  Vincent  to  the  Ohio;  b/ 
the  Ohio  by  a  dire^  line  drawn  due  north  from  the  mouth  of  the 
Great  Miami  to  the  faid  territorial  line,  and  by  the  faid  territorial 
line.    The  eadern  State  fliall  be  bounded  bv  the  laft-mcntioncd  di- 
re(ft  line,    the  Ohio,    Pcnnfylvania,    and  the  faid  territorial /jdc: 
provided,  however,  at  d  it  it  is  furiher  underflood  and  declared,  diat 
the  boundaries  of  thole  three  States  fliaJl  be  fiibjedt  fo  fiar  to  be  al- 
tered, that  if  CciUgeis  hereafter  fhall  find  it  expedient,  they  (hall 
have  authority  to  form  one,  or  two  Stales,  in  that  part  of  the  faid 
territory  which  Its  north  of  an  caft  and  well  line  drawn  througjithe 
foutherly  bend  or  extreme  of  lake  Michigan  ;  and  when  any  of  the 
faid  States  fliall   have  fixty  thoufand  free  inhabitants  therein,  fuch 
State  fliall  be  aJmittcd  hy  irs  delegates  into  the  Congrefs  of  the  United 
States,  on  an  equal  footing  with  the  original  States  in  all  refpe«fts 
whatever ;  and  fliall  be  at  liberty  to  form   a  permanent  conftitutioa 
and  flate  government :    provided  the  conftitution  and  government 
fo  to  be  formed  fliall  be  rcpubhcan,  and  in  conformity  to  the  prin- 
ciples contained  in  thefe  articles  ;  and  fo  far  as  it  can   be  confiftent 
with  the  general  intereft  of  the  confederacy,  fuch  admiffion  fliall  he 
allowed  at  an  earlier  period,  and  when  there  may  be  a  lefs  number  of 
free  inhabitants  in  the  Slate  than  fixty  thoufand. 

"  Art.  VI.  There  fliall  be  neither  flavery  nor  involuntary  fep* 
vitude  in  the  faid  territory,  othtrwiiie  than  in  the  pufiifliment  of 
crimes,  whereof  the  party  fliall  have  been  duly  convided  :  provided 
always,  that  any  pcrfon  efcaping  into  the  fame,  from  whom  lal>our 
or  fervice  is  lawfully  claimed  in  any  of  the  original  States,  fuch  fugi- 
tive may  be  lawfully  reclaimed,  and  conveyed  to  the  perfun  claiming 
his  or  her  labour  or  fervice  as  aforefaid." 

Such  is  the  prefent  government  of  the  weftem  territory,  and  fuch 
the  political  obligations  of  the  adventurers  into  this  fertile  and  de- 
lightful part  of  the  United  Slates^ 

In  the  ordinance  of  Congrefs,  for  the  government  of  this  territory, 
it  is  provided,  that  after  the  faid  territory  acquires  a  certain  degree 
of  population,  it  fliall  be  divided  into  States.    The  eaftern  State, 

that 


OP    THE    N.    W.    OF    THE    OHIO.  49I 

•*Art.  in.  Religion,  morality  and  knowledge,  being  necefTiry, 
to  good  government  and  the  happtaeis  of  mankind,  fchools  and 
the  means  of  education  Hiall  for  ever  be  encoitragedj  the  utmoll 
good  faith  fiiall  always  be  obferved  towards  the  Indians  ;  tlielr  lanas 
and  property  flial!  never  be  taken  from  tliem  without  their  confent ; 
and  in  their  property,  rights  and  liberty,  they  fliail  never  be  invaded 
or  difturbed,  unlefs  in  juft  and  lawful  wars,  aiithorifed  by  Congrefs  ; 
but  laws  founded  in  jufiice  and  humanity  (liall  fioni  time  to  time  be 
made,  for  preventing  wrongs  being  done  to  ifaem,  and  for  preferving 
peace  and  frieodfliip  with  tliem. 

.  IV.  Tin;    i'Mii  territuiy,    and  the  States  which  may  be 

atn  a  part  of  this  confederacy  of 

Ut  of  conftdcra- 


feil  to  tile  loiafiJe  purchiifcrs. 

property  of  the  United  States ;  and  in  no  cafe  diall  una*? 
prietora  be  taxed  higher  than  reridcnis,  Tlie  navigable  waters 
leading  into  the  Milfiffippi  and  St.  Lawrence,  and  the  carrying 
places  between  the  fan'.e,  lliall  be  common  highways,  and  for  ever 
free,  as  well  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  faid  territory,  as  to  the 
citizens  of  the  United  Stales  in  general,  and  thofe  of  any  other  States 
that  may  be  admitted  Into  the  confederacy,  without  any  tax,  impoft, 
or  duty. 

"  Art.V.  There  fliall  be  formed  in  the  faid  territoiy,  not  lefs 

than  three,  nor  more  thaA  live  States ;  and  the  boundaries  of  the 

State!,  as  foon  as  Virginia  fliall  alter  her  a£t  of  ceffion,  and  confent 

3R»  to 


t;i 


I '   * 


/ 


V 


^ 


^  ■r^'^A/v^ 


«i3t- 


\